Abuse is a common problem among the senior population. Older adults have the right to respect, healthcare, and appropriate treatment in senior care facilities like nursing homes, and these rights are often violated. Due to massive underreporting, it’s unknown just how significant nursing home abuse truly is, but we do know that there are millions of victims subjected to elder abuse each year. Nursing home abuse is a growing epidemic, and the first step to combating it is research and education.
Types of Nursing Home Abuse
The abuse of an older adult can happen anywhere, but it mainly occurs in nursing homes. Staff members may be inadequately screened for criminal backgrounds, improperly trained, or simply insufficient in numbers to prevent abuse or neglect. In nursing homes, residents typically require round-the-clock care and supervision that care facilities do not have the resources to provide adequately.
Physical
Any behavior that results in the injury, pain, or bodily harm of an older adult is considered physical elder abuse. This abuse includes slapping, shoving, punching, hair-pulling, stabbing, shooting, or any other method of causing purposeful physical injury. Medical treatment that is unnecessarily painful or rough can also be abusive. Inadequate supervision that results in bedsores, falls, malnutrition, or other injuries is also a type of physical abuse. Unexplained injuries, sudden weight loss with no other cause, or an increase in bedsores can be a sign of physical abuse.
Emotional
Older adults are typically vulnerable as they rely on the care of nursing homes for food, medication, and supervision. Staff members can abuse residents emotionally by yelling, insulting, demeaning, disrespecting, or manipulating them. Signs of emotional abuse can include social withdrawal, excessive crying, anger without an apparent cause, mood swings, or unexplained fear. Severe neglect resulting in starvation, falling, or wandering can also result in emotional trauma.
Financial
Staff members of care facilities or malicious outside parties may try to financially manipulate older residents into providing money. Financial fraud can include fake nursing home bills, stealing wallets or purses, or manipulating a resident into giving money voluntarily. Signs of financial abuse can consist of excessive bank withdrawals, increased bills, or inappropriate friendships.
Neglect
Neglect is a specific type of physical abuse where the lack of supervision or healthcare results in injuries or harm. Neglect can include missed meals or medications, wandering, falling, or death. Staff shortages can cause residents to go a long time without bathing or leaving the bed, which can result in deadly infections, bedsores, or other injuries.
Sexual
Sexual abuse is unfortunately common in nursing homes and can be physically and emotionally traumatic for victims. Sexual abuse includes inappropriate touching, rape by staff or other residents, or inappropriate sexual comments. Signs of sexual abuse can include unexplained sexually transmitted diseases, social withdrawal, unexplained fear, or mood swings.
Nursing Home Abuse Statistics
It’s predicted that approximately five million older adults are abused each year, and 64% of these are older women. Unfortunately, a majority of nursing home abuse goes underreported for a variety of reasons, including fear, intimidation, or even death. Some cities have seen a growing rate of abuse cases due to COVID-19, staff shortages, or limited resources.
Tampa, Florida
Florida is known for its older adult population, making it a prominent and desirable retirement location. Unfortunately, a large population of older adults requires an increase in senior communities, and some companies aren’t up for the task. Tampa and Florida are experiencing a statewide staff shortage, resulting in widespread abuse or neglect cases. Of the 83 citations Florida received in 2023 for nursing home negligence, 18 were in Tampa alone.
Nashville, Tennessee
Nashville is another popular area for retirement and another popular area for nursing home neglect. Of 76 facilities, over half (46) received below-average ratings. In 2023 alone, there were 45 reported cases of nursing home abuse in the city, requiring victims to consult with a Nashville nursing home abuse and neglect lawyer.
El Cajon, California
In California, the city of El Cajon has seen one of the highest nursing home abuse rates per capita in the state. One particular facility, Avocado Post Acute, has taken the brunt of the accusations, totaling over 600, half of which were sexual abuse. The California Department of Health cited 124 deficiencies, over twice the average in the entire state.
Atlanta, Georgia
Atlanta has a wide variety of career options, which means many retirees as well. Unfortunately, as is common with larger cities, nearly 10% of nursing homes in the city were found to have at least one deficiency, resulting in neglect or abuse. Here, verbal abuse is among the most common abuse reports.
Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas
Texas is a state with some of the highest accusations of nursing home misconduct. Dallas-Fort Worth saw over 2,000 abuse or neglect complaints in 2019 alone, increasing from 2018’s report by 25%. The number is growing throughout Texas, indicating a widespread problem that isn’t slowing down.
Conclusion
Older adults rely on senior communities like nursing homes to provide adequate, respectful supervision, healthcare, and living spaces. Unfortunately, staff shortages, criminal behavior, and security issues can result in physical, emotional, sexual, or financial abuse of residents. Nursing home abuse takes the majority of elder abuse cases, and women are most likely on the receiving end. Larger cities are more likely to experience staff shortages, increasing abuse cases. Researching and understanding the prevalence of this abuse is the first step to preventing it.
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