By: Las Vegas Now Staff
A man facing criminal elderly neglect charges is speaking out to Eyewitness News. The conditions were so bad, the 86-year-old bedridden woman was found covered in feces and the skin on her legs had grown together.
Alex Burt says his grandmother Rosemary wanted to spend her later years at home — not a hospital. But he told Eyewitness News he made several attempts to get her medical attention.
Alex Burt and his mother Jacqueline were charged with neglect after Metro police visited a home near Flamingo and Rainbow.
Burt says he never called 911 and tried to make arrangements with a Christian Science nurse to help his grandmother but that but that never happened.
“Every time my mom would come home, I'd pester her, saying we had to clean her together. I sometimes would call on the cell phone, but I had to deal with the potential of her getting rather explosive at me for questioning her judgment. I told her that if we could not adequately clean her, like she was cleaned up the first time, I was going to have to get some professional care for her,” said Alex.
Rosemary Burt is still hospitalized. Alex Burt and his mother have a Monday court appearance.
I feel sorry for the elderly that cant take care of themselves. My 8 year old daughter has told me that her dads girlfriend treats her elderly grandmother the same way and hits her & verbaly abuses her as well. Poor woman, i feel for her but i am not sure what to believe.
Comment by Renee — May 12, 2008 @ 1:24 pm
I don’t know the details of this situation, but I do know its difficult for people in the community to know where to turn when they need this type of help for an elderly person. If you know of a senior citizen who you feel is being abused or neglected, you can call 455-8672. You don’t have to prove abuse or neglect, and YOU DO NOT HAVE TO GIVE YOUR NAME. If you know of someone who needs help at home, you can call the Division for Aging Services at 486-3545 and let them know about an elderly person who needs care in their home. Don’t give up. Ask politely for the name of the person that speaks with you. If they don’t help because the person doesn’t qualify or for some other reason, you can ask them to give the person and case manager to help them get the help they do qualify for!! YOU CAN CALL AGAIN AND AGAIN, SOMETIMES THE RULES MAKE IT SEEM LIKE NO ONE CARES, BUT THEY DO. For other human services, you can find a great directory online at 211.com or by calling 211.
MAKE THE CALLS, DON’T LET AN ELDERLY PERSON SUFFER.
Comment by Catherine — May 13, 2008 @ 8:19 am
For the writter of comment #1….since you are now aware that abuse may be happening to someone…HAVE YOU REPORTED IT TO ANYONE?? It is better to make light of something that may turn out to be nothing rather than not report it at all, because its nothappening to you or someone you know. If this allegation of abuse by the girlfriend is true…and its found you knew abuse may have been happening and you did not report it…you could be charged as an accessory if the allegations are found to be true. Maybe if someone who knew this poor woman was being abused and neglected by her family, would have called someone…anyone, this entire situation may have had a better outcome.
Comment by Carolyn — May 13, 2008 @ 1:13 pm
We are a home health care agency, who provide non medical services to elderly and disabled clients, (We help everyone) I have been in the Home Care business for the past 2 years and it saddens me when I read stories such as these. There are so many resources out there to help people just as this family. If you know someone who is in need of assistance please do not hesitate to call 644-3600. We are available 24/7 and Our Mission is to help people such as the story above. or you can email me as well>
frances.jimenez@vidaseniorresource.com
Comment by Home Health Care Specialist — May 14, 2008 @ 9:53 am
Need to ask Renee in comment no. 1 “how would you like to be treated by your own daughter the way her Dad’s girlfriend treats her grandmother. You should report it even if it turns out to be nothing which I don’t believe it is. You don’t have to give your name just call and get her some help. We are all going to get old someday and God willing we will have someone to care for us who truly loves us. There is nothing more humiliating and degrading than to treat someone who is elderly that way.
Comment by Lucille — May 14, 2008 @ 2:18 pm
I can’t help it - just had to add this one for good ole Burt and his lovely mother Jacqueline. I would like to ask them both how much of his grandmother’s social security check did he and his mom blow at the Casinos. Those people make me sick.
Comment by Lucille — May 14, 2008 @ 2:24 pm
So many people don’t realize there are resources available to help the elderly and disabled that are in situations such as this. I work for Vida Senior Resource and our mission is ensure the aged and disabled receive the same quality of care regardless of their financial situation. We provide free senior care advice and will assist families with the process of locating in-home or facility based care for their loved ones. For more help and information visit our website at http://www.vidaseniorresource.com
Comment by Matthew Maes — July 16, 2008 @ 8:30 pm