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SHawnee, Kansas Nursing Home Fires Nurse after Abuse Allegations

True, there is widespread elder abuse in out nation’s nursing homes. But in one case in Kansas City, something was done about it – permanently.

After a nurse told authorities at the Sweet Life Nursing Home at Rosehill that a co-worker was abusing residents, the male nurse was fired. The next day, the home called the police, myfox.com of Kansas City reported on its web site.

The suspect’s name was given to the Kansas Department of Aging, which promptly entered the man’s name in its registry. If the man applies for a job anywhere in the state of Kansas, his name will be “red-flagged,” even if he’s acquitted of charges, reported myfox.com.

"It's my understanding that all nursing homes check the registry to make sure applicants haven’t been charged with a crime," Kim Ellis, executive director of the home, said.

The Shawnee Police Department (SPD) said the fired worker is accused of slapping an 88-year-old man and throwing him into a wheelchair. The male nurse also is accused of pushing an 81-year-old female in the stomach and the next day slapping her with a wash cloth and spraying water into her mouth.

"We take any concerns with our residents very seriously," Ellis said. "We have a zero- tolerance policy for any type of abuse, neglect or exploitation of our residents," reported myfox.com.

Police said elderly abuse is tough to investigate since dementia is an issue.

"Residents are non verbal,” Ron Copeland of SPD said. “They are unable to express themselves when being abused and may not even be aware they're being abused.”

Detectives and Sweet Life managers said it was critical another nurse spoke up.

"The elderly are one of the most vulnerable populations, completely because they rely on others to help make sure that good decisions are being made for them," Ellis said.

The male nurse has not been charged but the SPD continues to investigate, according to NBCactionnews.com, the NBC television affiliate in Kansas City.

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