The Oklahoma state Health Department is investigating a police report that employees of an Oklahoma City nursing home for months have been locking Alzheimer patients in their rooms by propping chairs against their doornobs.

Authorities say the practice of blocking Alzheimer patients in their rooms at night at the Grace Living Center, one of 24 Grace nursing homes statewide, may have gone on for six months. Nursing home regulations require that patients are not restrained at night.

Grace nursing home officials said the actions were not condoned by management and three employees -- a licensed practical nurse and two certified nursing aides -- had been fired.

Police who investigated said no injuries were caused by the "barricading," but termed the practice "abuse or neglect."

Wes Bledsoe, president of A Perfect Cause reform group, said the conduct was "outrageous and unconscionable."

"If you barricaded your child in their room, state Child Protective Services would have you arrested and you would be prosecuted," Bledsoe said. "Residents with Alzheimer's disease or dementia often are in childlike states."

Other sources: The Oklahoman