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Instagram video of elderly patient being abused by healthcare worker investigated by US police

The video, which was posted on Instagram, shows the aide berating and attacking the elderly woman 

Victoria Gagliardo-Silver
New York
Friday 19 July 2019 20:52 BST
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Elder abused by healthcare worker in Delaware

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Police are investigating a video circulating social media that shows a healthcare home worker physically assaulting an elderly patient in her own home.

The video, believed to be filmed in Newport, Delaware, shows the medical aide berating the elderly woman.

It appears that the healthcare worker herself filmed the video, and posted it to Instagram.

In the video, the health worker insulted the elderly woman's “long veins” and “saggy” eyes. Eventually, the carer said: “You ugly as s***.”

Throughout, the elderly woman attempts to defend herself from the vitriol, only for the health care aide to tell her to “shut up”.

The carer then began to throw unknown objects at the elderly woman, who attempts to defend herself by swatting them away.

After throwing the objects at the woman, the home health aide proceeded to physically attack the elderly patient.

The video shows the carer allegedly trying to hit the elderly woman as the patient protects herself with a sofa cushion.

Newport Police Sergeant John Mitchell said to local news station ABC6: “It’s sickening that somebody would do that to an elderly lady.”

The police have yet to identify the elderly victim, but Sgt Mitchell said: “I'm going to use my department's efforts into focusing on identifying her and bringing this to a conclusion.”

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When prompted on the identity of the healthcare worker or the location of where this incident occurred, the police said they were unable to comment at this point.

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