Caregiver arrested after hidden camera films her hitting 91-year-old patient more than 150 times

[Sugar Cookie]

The Costa Mesa Police Department (CMPD) on Tuesday, Sept. 1, arrested Rima Abikaram, 50, on suspicion of elder abuse after she was caught on camera striking 91-year-old Jane Doe while in her care.

In 2015, Abikaram, a friend of the victim’s family, was hired as one of two caregivers to provide 24-hour care for 91-year-old Jane Doe, who is confined to a medical bed.

Prior to the arrest, the second caregiver became concerned for the victim after noticing Jane Doe had sustained visible injuries and reported her concerns to Jane Doe’s family. The family subsequently installed a hidden camera in Jane Doe’s home to monitor the victim’s care. Ultimately, the hidden camera revealed Abikaram abusing and striking the victim.

On Aug. 18, 2020, after terminating Abikaram as a caregiver, the victim’s family called CMPD to report the elder abuse. That same day, an officer responded to the victim’s home and took a report.

During the investigation, video footage was reviewed and it was found that over a 4-day period, Abikaram struck the victim over 150 times. Medical reports showed that Jane Doe’s injuries included swelling to her face, a black eye, and a laceration to her arm.

https://nixle.us/alert/8222364/

 

[Satanica]

Were these abusive "caregiver's" raised by a troop of deranged chimps? It's just very difficult to wrap one's head around abusing the vulnerable. And, she can't say she "snapped" one time since it was repeated and extreme.

 

[Brillig]

Old people can be demanding and even annoying, especially if they have dementia. Since the elderly patient didn't report the abuse herself, I'm guessing she has dementia. If taking care of someone in that condition is too irritating, the answer is to find another job, not beat a vulnerable elderly person.

 

[Siobhan]

In 2015, Abikaram, a friend of the victim’s family, was hired as one of two caregivers to provide 24-hour care for 91-year-old Jane Doe, who is confined to a medical bed.

IMO, there is no difference between this and beating an infant who's confined to their crib.
91 years old and confined to a medical bed - no way to fight back/defend herself, or even a chance to run and escape the abuse.
This is not "a family friend", but more like an acquaintance opportunist who saw a chance for what she thought would be good money for just being at Jane Doe's home for 12 hours a day, and nothing else.
Even dementia patients who're quick to anger can be put at ease by a caretaker just by spending time with them at their bedside, talking with them, holding their hands, hugging, and I've found that reading to them at regular intervals can work wonders. Even though their mind may be failing, they (IMO) can still sense if their caretaker truly likes/loves them, or is prone to indifference and dislikes/resents the patient or caring for them.

I've been a caretaker for many of my family members and some older friends, I never accepted money for it, as it was out of love for the one's I cared for, and the one way I knew that could help to make their last years happy ones, while they knew they were loved, wanted, and respected.
It can occasionally be frustrating, as they want to do or eat things they can't any longer, and may argue about it, but for God's sake, just taking a personal timeout for a few minutes can stop the frustration, and bring you back to calmness and readdressing an issue (if necessary) with love and tenderness.

This woman deserves the harshest sentence possible, and I wouldn't be a bit surprised to find she has a history of hurting others who're vulnerable and couldn't defend themselves either.

 

[Brillig]

I cared for both of my parents in their final years (sequentially). One had dementia, the other was a sociopath. It could be frustrating at times, I won't lie, but I never harmed either of them, and never even yelled at them. I did take time outs to collect myself when they were extra aggravating, but it wasn't their fault they had dementia /were a sociopath. They were still my parents.

 

[Sevens My Charm]

I worked a lockdown unit.. many times caregivers become the only family in the patients mind. Patients understand more than they are able to communicate. I grew to love each patient with their intricacies and complexities. The job is not for the faint of heart..

 

[Sejanus]

Such a profound violation of trust.
Give her the max.