Sexual Abuse in Nursing Homes

A nightshift nurse at an Ohio nursing home has been charged with raping a blind and partially paralyzed patient and abusing at least 13 others. John Riems allegedly confided to authorities that he has abused almost 100 patients since the 1980’s, but could only provide specific information on about two dozen victims. Riems has worked at 13 different hospitals and nursing homes in Ohio.

Other nurses at the facility noted that Riems tended to spend a great deal of time behind closed doors with patients. He would sometimes spend up to an hour in a patient’s room, alone, with the door closed. When a colleague asked him why he was in a patient’s room for so long, he reportedly answered, “None of your business.”

Some nurses commented that patients appeared to be fearful of Riems, who was known to have an explosive temper. One colleague reported to supervisors that Riems was verbally abusive to patients and would swear and throw things when angry. Despite these warning signs, Riems was allowed to have unfettered, unsupervised access to patients.

Riems selected his victims carefully, choosing the most defenseless victims who were unable to communicate that the abuse was occurring. In addition to raping the blind and partially paralyzed man, police believe he has 14 victims, both male and female, at the nursing home where he worked from 2002 to the time of his arrest. Police have acknowledged that there are ten other “suspected” victims of Riem who reside at other facilities where Riems worked, although they declined to identify the location of these other suspected victims.

How can you protect your loved one from becoming the victim of sexual abuse in a nursing home? Here are some pointers:

1. Visit frequently and don’t announce when you are coming.
2. When you visit, observe the staff and see if your loved one appears to be apprehensive or fearful of any staff members.
3. Talk to the staff and let them know that you are actively involved in the care of your loved one.
4. Trust your instincts; if a staff member’s behavior strikes you as being odd, alert the appropriate supervisors.
5. Watch for physical signs of abuse, including:

• Bruising around breasts, thighs or genitals
• Bleeding from the vagina or anus
• Presence of a sexually transmitted disease
• Pain or discomfort in sitting
• Infection, irritation or itching in the genital area

Thanks for reading. If you have a question or comment, feel free to reply to this posting, or send me an e-mail. If you suspect a loved one is being physically or sexually abused in a nursing home, contact me for help and immediate assistance.