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Regarding a Fierce Advocate for the Elderly.

Last year I and two others had reported a case of sexual abuse which occurred at a Smithfield nursing home. Many witnesses have since come forward to testify as to what they had seen as well. The case was handled badly and no one has ever been charged. The two perpetrators continue to have some access to that patient, these two are in need of professional help or jail. So far no one in public office has had the nerve to prosecute these two women who abused their own mother what a horrendous case of a double standard! The AG's office said there was no crime but have no rational explanation for that decision. As a result of doing my job, I am now known as a whistleblower/trouble maker therefore being vilified for doing the right thing this made it difficult to find another job. On top of that, I was falsely accused and then reported to the Health Department for not reporting the abuse even though I was the only RN who did report it multiple times.( the DOH has cleared me of any unprofessional conduct) I reported it to the Nursing home, the Health Department, the Alliance for better Nursing Home Care then the police. Later we found out that the Administrator and Director of nurses knew about the abuse a year before we had reported it. What is truly chilling is that the nursing home is suing me and two nurses aides for defamation of character and to repay the fines levied against them for their own deficiencies. Oh yes, I did witness the elderly ombudsman laughing and smirking during the Norman's sister testimony to the Health Committee. Furthermore,it seems that in order to dismiss my reports of abuse the ombudsmen attacked me personally as she has been telling people in high places that I "was the one" who had "failed to report the abuse in a timely manner" (abuse that the AG's office denies occurred). As for cameras in Nursing Homes, the ombudsman obviously DID NOT READ the bill and and used fear tactics and graphic images to negate what could be a great benefit in the future. If they tell a lie often enough some may believe it but it is still a lie. It is extremely disturbing that, nurses and nurses aides have lost their jobs in RI for reporting abuse as those that do report know they may have to pay a very high price. Not all Nursing Homes are the same. Please consider this, do you want those who care for your loved ones to have to make that kind of choice. At that nursing Home in Smithfield only three of us followed the law and we were served up as a "Lamb" to be slaughtered.

Jeannine Peterson, RN, BS

From: Alliance agressively advocates for elderly

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