Nursing home, caregivers sued for abuse of patient in Illinois

An Illinois nursing home is now being sued after a video was posted on Snapchat showing a caregiver taunting a 91-year-old dementia patient.

Glenview Police Department charged Brayan Cortez and Jamie Montesa, caregivers at Abington of Glenview, after they posted a video to Snapchat of apparent elder abuse of one of their patients.

Patient Margaret Collins did not like hospital gowns, but her caregivers at the nursing home decided to put it on her as she tried to wave it away.

“She’s waving her arms because of one reason,” said Tom Collins, Margaret’s son. “She doesn’t have mobility to get away. That’s the only option she has to protect herself.”

Collin’s family said the 91-year-old great grandmother has dementia and was known by workers at her nursing home to dislike the gowns.

The video posted to social media of the encounter was recorded four days before last Christmas. The caption in the video said, “Margaret hates gowns.” And two laughing-face emoji were captioned as well.

“You’re just like, this is somebody’s sick idea of entertainment,” said Joan Biel, Margaret’s daughter.

The family is suing the nursing home and the two nursing assistants.

Cortex and Montesa face a charge for Misdemeanor Disorderly Conduct.

“Margaret’s privacy was clearly violated,” Attorney John Perconti said. “They had no right to have cell phones in there.”

The nursing home responded to the incident with its own statement:

“The privacy and dignity of our residents are of the utmost concern at the Abington. Recently, two employees were terminated when it was determined that they violated our standards and policies.”

But Margaret’s family said the workers remained on the job for weeks after initially being clear by administrators.

“They violate her safety, her privacy,” Tom said. “And then they do a slow walk to correct the behavior?”

Margaret’s family moved her to another facility since the issue unfolded, but they said her health has deteriorated.