Support Worker charged in the death of elderly Pickering woman

A Personal Support Worker (PSW) has been charged after an elderly resident in a Pickering nursing home died as a result of injuries from a fall.

The 34-year-old female PSW was employed at the Community Nursing Home on Valley Farm Road in Pickering when she allegedly moved a 91-year-old female resident, by herself, on March 20, 2011. This violated the resident’s personal care plan and the home’s policy of using two employees and a mechanical lift for moving incapacitated residents.

Investigators believe the 91-year-old resident sustained a leg injury from a fall during the move, although no fall had officially been reported to supervisors. As an injury to her leg was noticed by several staff members over the ensuing days, the injured resident was taken to Ajax-Pickering Hospital and diagnosed with a fractured femur on March 23.

Police were then called by a family member to report the injury. The 91-year-old resident, who suffered from advanced Alzheimer’s and dementia and was non-communicative, died on April 4th due to complications from the leg injury.

Investigators with the West Division Criminal Investigations Bureau interviewed multiple people and received the full cooperation of the nursing home operators and staff. The PSW was asked to attend West Division on May 24, 2011 and was arrested and held for a bail hearing.

Diane PECK, age 34 of Pickering is charged with Criminal Negligence Causing Death and Failure to Provide to Person under Charge the Necessities of Life.