People at Risk for Nursing Home Abuse
Defining Nursing Home Abuse
“Any knowing, intentional, or negligent act by a caregiver or any other person that causes harm or a serious risk of harm to a vulnerable adult.”
Six types of abuse are common in elderly nursing home populations:
Physical abuse
Financial abuse
Neglect
Sexual abuse
Emotional abuse
Abandonment
Who Is at Risk?
Women are most at-risk of abuse, due to perceived vulnerability, longer lives, as well as higher numbers of women in nursing homes.
Residents with dementia, Alzheimer's, or other memory-related conditions are at risk and it is more difficult for victims to report crimes.
Members of racial minority and LGBTQ+ groups are especially at-risk of nursing home abuse or neglect.
Residents with limited or no mobility are often the target of abuse or harassment.
“Difficult” residents or those with complex medical or physical needs are frequent targets of abuse.
Residents face a high risk of abuse if they are in a facility with past history of abuse or neglect.
Recognizing Signs of Nursing Home Abuse
- Stay away from nursing homes with documented histories of abuse, high staff-to-patient ratio, or high turnover rates.
- For physical abuse, check for cuts, bruises, or other marks on the body.
- For sexual or emotional abuse, keep eye out for abnormal mental regression in otherwise healthy elderly residents. Victims may appear afraid of certain staff members or not want to be left alone.
- With financial abuse, check for missing items (heirlooms) or unexplained purchases or billing history.