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Resident on Resident Violence in Nursing Homes

Yesterday I commented on the rise of "resident on resident" abuse in nursing homes.  Today I learned of two more tragic cases.  In an Illinois nursing home a patient who is a psychotic convicted felon beat to death a 72 year old patient.  The victim, who suffered from dementia, wandered into the other patient's room and began eating his lunch.  The other patient tragically beat him to death.  He has now been charged with first degree murder.

In another case a 98 year old nursing home patient is charged with strangling her 100 year old roommate.  The 98 year old probably will not face trial because of her severe dementia and cognitive impairment.

Could these deaths have been prevented? As I commented yesterday, nursing homes have a responsibility to protect their residents.  They must remain vigilant in watching for signs that a resident may harm another resident.  In many cases of resident on resident violence, the nursing home shares the bulk of the blame because the resident's behavior is often due to dementia and other diseases not a criminal mindset.