Nursing Home Abuse

"There are nearly 17,000 nursing homes in the United States that currently care for 1.6 million residents, a figure expected to quadruple to 6.6 million residents by 2050"
    - US House of Representatives, Committee on Government Reform - Minority Office

Eye witness accounts and surveys have sadly shown that nursing home abuse and neglect is a serious problem, and that there is significant under-reporting. Major underlying causes of elder mistreatment, according to findings of the National Academy of Sciences Panle to Review Risk and Prevalence of Elder Abuse and Neglect, are:

• Stressful working conditions, particularly staff shortages
• Staff burnout
• Inadequate staff training

What is elder abuse?

Elder abuse is a term referring to any knowing, intentional, or neglegent act by a caregiver or any other person that causes harm or a serious risk of harm to a vulnerable adult. The specificity of laws varies from state to state, but broadly defined, abuse may be:

• Physical Abuse - Inflicting or threatening to inflict physical pain or injury on a vulnerable elder, or deprive them of a basic need.
• Emotional Abuse - Inflicting mental pain, anguish or distress on a elder person through verbal or nonverbal acts.
• Sexual Abuse - Non-consensual sexual contact of any kind.
• Exploitation - Illegal taking, misuse, or concealment of funds, property or assets of a vulnerable elder.
• Neglect - Refusal or failure by those responsible to provide food, shelter, health care or protection for a vulnerable elder.
• Abandonment - The desertion of a vulnerable elder by anyone who has assumed the responsibility for care or custody of that person.

What are the warning signs of elder abuse?

While one sign does not necessarily indicate abuse, some tell-tale signs that there could be abuse are:

• Bruises, pressure marks, broken bones, abrasions and burns.
• Unexplained withdrawal from normal activities, a sudden change in alertness, or unusual depression.
• Bruises around the breasts or genital area can occur from sexal abuse.
• Sudden changes in financial situations may be the result of exploitation.
• Bedsore, unattended medical needs, poor hygiene, and unusual weight loss are indications of possible neglect.
• Behavior such as belittling threats and other uses of power and control are indicators of verbal or emotional abuse.
• Strained or tense relationships, frequent arguments between the caregiver and the elderly person are also signs.

What makes an older person vulnerable to abuse?

Social isolation and mental impairment (such as dementia or Alzheimer's disease) are two factors that may make an older person more vulnerable to abuse. But, in some situations, studies show that living with someone else ( a caregiver or friend) may increase the chances for abuse to occur.

How many people are suffering from elder abuse?

It is difficult to say how many older Americans are abused, neglected or exploited, in large part because surveillance is limited and the problem remains greatlt hidden. Findings from the often-cited National Elder Abuse Incidence Study suggest that more than 500,000 Americans aged 60 and over were victims of domestic abuse in 1956.