What steps to take with possible sexual abuse of woman (79)?

I think you should take this very seriously & talk to the elder abuse folks through the department of human services, an ombudsman or the local police department. True, it could be dementia or medication....but it could also be true.

When mom was in rehab at the nursing home, one day she told quite a tale . . . One of the male attendants, she said, had taken her for a walk in the woods and tried to have his way with her. It was the second time it had happened, she said.

Fortunately, there was no woods. Ha! Just after she told me, we were in her room, a young male attendant walked in...mom eyed him suspiciously, and said, "Well, well, well. There he is. You owe me an APOLOGY!"

"Uh-oh, what did I do??"

You know what you did, young man. Yesterday. When we went for a walk in the woods."

He never skipped a beat. "Well, I wasn't at work yesterday, but.I sure am sorry."

She smiled and said, "That's okay. I know you didn't mean it."

I winked at him. He smiled and went on about his business.

If you question in your mind if that happened, contact the police. With skepticism, please.

I think that's something that should be taken very seriously because there are other folks in the facility who could be affected. That said, I don't know the protocol. Can she give a description of the man? Did you speak to anyone in charge at the rehab facility? Not the workers, but a manager? My Mom was in a facility and she kept complaining that a man was coming into her room. Not abusing her in any way, but just coming into her room. We weren't certain if it was her Alz causing her to see things or not, until I stayed with her one night and witnessed it for myself. Just a man who got out of bed and wandered. So I do think your friend should be listened to. Hope this helps!

I am not saying this abuse didn't happen, but was wonder if this woman has any type of dementia/Alzheimer's. If yes, there is a very fine line as to when someone who has such memory issues claims abuse, did it really happen or not. I am hoping it didn't happen for that woman's sake.