Elder Law

Sex Offenders Still Rome the Halls of a Nursing Homes

By Levin & Perconti

One nursing home is still allowing sex offenders but not informing the families of the other elderly residents who still occupy the home. There are currently 18 registered sex offenders that live at the nursing home. Their sex offenses range from child molestation to rape and the state government is paying a good deal for the program. The other elderly residents are separated from the sex offenders by solid doors with coded locks. The staff is also trained on how to deal with those patients who have psychiatric issues and management does not view this as a security threat.

While the nursing home says none of the residents have done anything sexual to adults, when KOMU-8 looked into the background of the patients some had raped adults. There is no legal responsibility of the nursing home management to inform other residents and their families about the background of their residents, so the nursing home does not feel the need to disclose the information.

Sex offenders in nursing homes have become a very important issue, especially in Illinois nursing homes. Family members should feel secure when placing a loved one in a nursing home. Therefore, they should not have to worry that sex offenders are also residing in the home. Many times cases of sexual abuse fall at the hands of other residents, who are able to bypass security measures. If you believe that you or a loved one resides in a nursing home where sexual offenders reside, please click the link.

Full post as published by Illinois Nursing Home Abuse Blog on May 21, 2010 (boomark / email).