Nursing aide to be charged with injury

GEORGETOWN (KXAN) - Administrators at Wesleyan Nursing Home in Georgetown said they have fired one of their certified nursing assistants amid reports that she injured an 88-year-old patient.

According to a police arrest affidavit, Ella Jean Moorer is facing a charge of Injury to the elderly, disabled reckless bodily injury. Police are planning to arrest Moorer.

"This was the first event of its kind with her, so we took it very seriously and we notified the agencies that we needed to notify," said facility administrator Timothy Stuteville.

Staff members told police that Moorer was trying to change the clothes of a patient who resisted. Staff members said Moorer became frustrated.

They witnessed Moorer grab the patient's upper arms, pushing him toward the toilet in the restroom area. Staff members said they saw Moorer put the patient in a "head lock" and tried to force him to the toilet with her hand on the patient's chest.

The patient later complained of chest pain. Another staff member told police she later saw bruising on the patient's upper arms.

After questioning Moorer about the incident, which she denied,  Wesleyan administrators put Moorer on administrative leave. She was later fired.

"We take a lot of pride in the care that we provide for over 200 seniors. And so we won't tolerate anything but the best for them." said Stuteville.

Caregivers with BrightStar Care said when caring for combative patients with Alzheimer's and dementia, it's important that the caregiver not only be skilled and educated about the disease, but also patient.

"We still do have to respect the fact that the person is still an adult and many cases they are our seniors and our elders. So respecting the fact that they still have the ability to say no." said Rhone McCall, BrightStar Care co-owner.

For families considering putting a loved one in a nursing home or are considering arranging for in-home care should ask specific questions beforehand.

"What are you doing, what programs do you offer. How do you deal with someone who is combative?" said McCall. "Make sure that you're dealing with a facility or an agency that has dementia and Alzheimer's specific programs. Not every assisted living and nursing facility has that skill set."

BrightStar Care is offering a free Understanding Alzheimer's and dementia seminar for caregivers on Wednesday, June 22 at St. Matthew's Episcopal Church.