There are allegations of neglect and unexplained injuries to residents at a suburban nursing home. Family members say many patients are not being cleaned, fed or attended to. And a former worker says the allegations are true. CBS 2's Susan Carlson reports on what's going on at Westmont Nursing & Rehab Center.
When Patty Murphy had to put her 81-year-old mother in a nursing home three years ago, she picked Westmont because it was close to home and appeared clean. But she says in recent months, things have changed.
"Sometimes I walk in there, and if my mom is in dry, clean clothes, it's a good day," Murphy said.
She says her mom and other residents are not being properly taken care of.
"I've seen people get out of their wheelchairs, their alarm is going off and no one's running to their rescue," Murphy said. "It's kind of scary."
Gerry Norieko took pictures of bruises he found on his 90-year-old mother a couple weeks ago. There are bruises up and down her arms, and on her shoulders and legs.
"I lifted up her sleeve and I saw a bruise here, which looks like they grabbed her," Norieko said.
Norieko says the staff claims they don't know what happened. In addition, he's noticed other residents in distress. One incident that stands out in his mind involves an elderly man who was struggling to eat.
"There was nobody to help him eat, so I fed him," Norieko said.
Still, he and the families point out that some of the workers did seem to care.
One of them was former nurses' aide, Brenda Price. But despite a letter verifying her good work record, on September 17th, Price says she was told she was being fired for insubordination.
"I believe I was complaining too much," Price said.
Price says she didn't like what she saw going on inside Westmont, including witnessing other aides punishing patients.
"Cold showers, not feeding them," Price said. "When they're changing them, they would throw them real hard and roll them back, or they would pinch them."
Westmont administrators refused our request for an interview, but responded in an email that the center "…is committed to providing high quality nursing and rehabilitative care, and customer service to its residents and families."
CBS 2 found out the state Department of Public Health has investigated 31 allegations against Westmont, following tips to the Nursing Home Hotline over the past year.
Twelve of them were substantiated: 11 for poor quality care and one for abuse. As a result, the facility is currently being fined $200 a day.
"It's hard to have a loved one in these places to begin with," Murphy said. "When you don't know that they're really getting the care that they need, it's just hard."
The Health Department says Westmont will continue to be fined $200 a day until they correct the violations they've been cited for.
Investigators have been checking the facility regularly in response to the complaints. They were there as recently as last Wednesday and say conditions are still not up to government standards.
The entire response from Westmont administrators is below:
"In response to your concerns related to Westmont Nursing and Rehabilitation Center the management is pleased to make the following statement:
"Westmont Nursing and Rehabilitation Center is committed to providing high quality nursing and rehabilitative care, and customer service to its residents and families.
"Westmont Nursing and Rehabilitation Center has satisfied residents and families with a high occupancy rate.
"Westmont Nursing and Rehabilitation Center has many happy, caring staff with longevity of over 20 years.
"We believe that the source of the rumors is a disgruntled former employee.
"Any specific concerns brought to the attention of facility staff are investigated thoroughly and addressed appropriately."
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