The family of Margaret Collins, a 91-year-old patient at the Abington of Glenview nursing home near Chicago, is suing her caretakers after video surfaced of two nurses repeatedly taunting her despite her dementia.
In the Snapchat video, caretakers Jamie Montesa and Brayan Cortez can be seen mocking the 91-year-old.
While Montesa films, Cortez repeatedly places a hospital gown on top of Margaret. In the caption, they explain with laughing emojis that “Margaret hates gowns.”
The news picked up the story.
"She's waving her arms because of one reason: she doesn't have mobility to get away. That's the only option she has to protect herself,” said Margaret Collins’ son Tom Collins. https://t.co/ZTwQ64P4zh
— ABC7 Sarasota (@mysuncoast) August 11, 2019
Collins, who suffers from dementia, continues waving the gown away.
Her family says she has a deep dislike of hospital garments, preferring to wear her own clothes at all times.
Just sad!! I couldn't imagine the mental trauma of this lady's ordeal & her family having to witness it😭
— DontBlockYourBlessng (@Dntblkyorblssng) August 11, 2019
Margaret’s daughter, Joan Biebel commented on WGN-TV that:
“If they were in her room, they should have been there for a reason ― to help her, assist her ― not to exploit her and threaten her and demean her and post it on social media.”
Karma will not be kind to them when they get old.
— Tardis_lass (@Heathfeath45) August 12, 2019
Let's keep a record of these two and give them turnabout when they are 91 in a nursing home. Cretans.
— Margo Pastovich (@margomargpast) August 12, 2019
The two caretakers involved were suspended for six days and later fired following an investigation.
Abington released a statement saying:
“The privacy and dignity of our residents are of the utmost concern.”
Sue them good, a disgrace 😡😡
— It's Lorraine (@rising_oceans) August 12, 2019
Margaret’s family claim that she now suffers from anxiety due to her treatment at Abington, where Montesa admitted to having recorded another video of the elderly woman previously.
The nursing staff was appointed to take care of patients, not to bully them. Disgusting people.
— VandanaVarun (@vandana_varun_) August 12, 2019
The family has removed Margaret from the nursing home and is now suing Abington for $1 million in damages.
As they should. They should sue until it hurts...
— Jack Alexander (@jack_alexander2) August 11, 2019
John Perconti, the family’s lawyer, told WGN-TV:
“This was a sick game the two CNAs decided to play for their own enjoyment. By filing this lawsuit and pursuing this lawsuit, we will prevent this from happening to other individuals in this facility as well as other facilities.”
Iam not a big sue guy but I hope they get every penny
— William j Mason jr (@WilliamjMasonj3) August 12, 2019
The book Abuses and Excuses: How To Hold Bad Nursing Homes Accountable is available here.
