Anything for a story. Right? Recent reports have surfaced regarding reporters 'signing out' Brooke Sheild's mother (who suffers from dementia) from an assisted living facility in New Jersey are disturbing-- to say the least.  The reporters were apparently from The National Enquirer and signed out 75-year-old Teri Shields to get a story for their tabloid.

Who can blame Brooke for being upset?

I intend to take every lawful action against all who were involved or who authorized this despicable act. My mother Teri Shields has been diagnosed with dementia. For her safety, she has temporarily been in a senior living facility, a very difficult decision for me. Late Thursday afternoon, I was alerted by [police] that my mother had been signed out of the facility by two reporters of the National Enquirer - who falsely claimed they were friends of hers.

What is a facilities responsibility to its residents?

Nursing homes have a duty to protect its residents both from harm that is self-inflicted as well as from harm from outside sources.  Facilities should have a sign-in and sign-out policy in place to control visitors access to residents.  Especially in cases of residents with Alzheimer's and dementia, facilities should have a list of authorized visitors approved by their person's guardian.  Only approved visitors should have access to the person.

Related Nursing Homes Abuse Blog Posts On Alzheimer's Residents

Nursing Homes For Alzheimer's Patients. What To Look For?

How Much Freedom Should Assisted Living Facilities Give The Mentally Disabled?

Pile On The Medication