When families entrust their senior loved ones to a care home, they reasonably expect that the staff will provide whatever level of care and attention is necessary. Family members want their loved ones to be safe while in the care of a facility, not fearing for their safety.
A 93-year-old woman with dementia died after a California senior citizens’ home served her and other residents dishwashing liquid instead of juice.
In a statement, Atria Park San Mateo (which is located in the Hillsdale area) confirmed that three of its residents had been “recently transported to the hospital”. One of those patients was a 93-year-old woman.
The statement read: “We have been working with local authorities, who have informed us that one resident passed away. Our sincerest condolences are with the family. When this occurred, our staff immediately contacted authorities, and the residents were transported to the hospital for evaluation and treatment.”
They continued: “We will continue working with the police and Department of Social Services to fully review and assess the incident, after which we will take additional actions as needed. The safety and well-being of our residents remain our top priorities at all times.”
The employees in question have been suspended, and the home is continuing to investigate the matter internally. They are also cooperating with local law enforcement as the investigation unfolds. The home said in a statement, “We have been working with local authorities, who have informed us that one resident passed away. Our sincerest condolences are with the family.”
Several people were hospitalized after consuming a nonpotable liquid that was reportedly mislabeled as grape juice. An informant close to the case revealed to the local NBC station that “There may have been a mistake. A jug of grape juice is what somebody thought they had picked up and poured into glasses, but it was some sort of cleaning fluid.”
Sunday at 8:10 p.m., the San Mateo Police Department responded to an emergency call at a local care facility. They “began a comprehensive investigation and learned three home care residents were hospitalized after ingesting toxic chemicals.”
They added “Tragically, one of the three residents, a 93-year-old female, was pronounced deceased at a local hospital. SMPD Detectives are actively investigating this case jointly with the California Department of Social Services Ombudsman, and Atria Hillsdale is cooperating with this investigation.”
Marcia Cutchin told the local television station that the woman who died was her mother, Gertrude Elizabeth Murison Maxwell. The senior home said the substance given to her mother was an “alkaline cleaning solution that eats protein.”
Cutchin added that Maxwell was not able to feed herself due to her dementia. When her mother got to the hospital, she had “severe blistering of her mouth and throat and esophagus.” She continued, “Many people, like my mother, you have to hold a cup to her mouth and tip it into her mouth.”
The SMPD stated that they would continue to provide updates on the investigation as it proceeds.
Gertrude Elizabeth Murison Maxwell left behind 8 children and 20 grandchildren.
