Elder Abuse in Nursing Home Settings

Elderly Care for Seniors in Residential Homes can be Abusive

Apr 28, 2009

Nursing home care for some senior citizens includes neglect and medication errors. Senior care standards need to improve as World Elder Abuse Awareness Day approaches.

Many forms of abuse that exist in nursing homes mirrors those found in home settings. They include verbal and physical abuse, inappropriate restraints, isolation and perhaps the largest form of abuse, neglect.

Adding to these forms of abuse, some seniors are forced to live in overcrowded facilities and receive sub-standard care. An investigative news report on KMIR6 Palm Springs reveals that 1 in 3 nursing homes in California have medication errors, staff who mistreats their residents and employs individuals to work with seniors who are convicted abusers.

Elder Abuse Statistics

There are no solid elder abuse statistics because this is an under-reported crime. Many seniors are unable to report abuse for a multitude of reasons that include not having a trustworthy person in which to confide, the inability to communicate and the fear of further abuse.

The National Center on Elder Abuse estimates that more than one million seniors suffer abuse or neglect every year, many of whom reside in residential care homes.

Randy Walton, a lawyer specializing in elder abuse cases, says that abuse and neglect is occurring in shocking numbers. Walton stated in an interview on KMIR6, “the big problem is neglect”. While referring to the health care provided in nursing homes, Walton says: “Many of them are so eager to retain the resident, the cash-paying customer if you will, that they often ignore the changes of condition, the declining health, the problems that are occurring until it's too late.”

Further explanations for the under-reporting of elder abuse includes the lack of investigators to deal with the volume of abuse complaints, out of court settlements and signed confidentiality forms that are legally binding.

Nursing home abuse facts, especially homes in the United States, are startling. Although this problem exists in Canada there are more controls in place to help reduce incidents of abuse. However, a former Ontario nurse's aide, who cannot be identified, claims that her experiences with most co-workers were positive. She also says there are occasional bad apples and they have low tolerance levels and should not be working in nursing homes. This former worker witnessed a co-worker hitting a resident. She says it is very difficult to report a co-worker, especially one with seniority, without life becoming unbearable.

Signs and Symptoms of Elder Abuse

Visiting a loved one in an elder care facility who is unable to verbally communicate yet can comprehend what is happening around him, needs to asked regularly, “Are you happy here?” or “Is the staff treating you well?” Asking a loved one to respond by squeezing an object, moving a finger or whatever is physically possible is important in keeping communication active.

Any suspicion of elderly abuse needs to be reported immediately to local police. Most nursing homes may have an internal process in dealing with abuse claims but criminal charges may not occur unless police are involved. The more people who get involved, the better the chances of having the abuse brought to justice.

On June 15, 2009 celebrate World Elder Abuse Awareness Day. The Canadian Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse is actively involved in raising awareness to the seriousness of elder abuse and in promoting World Elder Abuse Awareness Day.

The copyright of the article Elder Abuse in Nursing Home Settings in Abuse is owned by Karen Stephenson. Permission to republish Elder Abuse in Nursing Home Settings in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.