TOP oF MInD
Zero tolerance: An Antidote
to Elder Abuse
Mrs. Davidson from the memory care floor wouldn’t sit down. The caregiver aised her voice and attracted the attention of the medication aide in the hallway.
As the aide rounded the corner, the caregiver grabbed the disobedient resident and
shoved her into the chair. The angry caregiver stormed out of the room. Mrs. Davidson
didn’t seem hurt, so the aide helped her to her feet and into bed. The aide then went to
the office of the Executive Director who called the caregiver to her office. The Executive Director confronted the caregiver—who confessed. She was fired on-the-spot and
escorted from the building.
Richard P. Grimes, rgrimes@alfa.org, is president/CEo of the
Assisted Living Federation of America, www.alfa.org, representing
professionally managed senior living communities and the
residents and families they serve.
