Elder Abuse
How frequent is Elder Abuse?
Approximately 1 in 10 Americans aged 60+ have reported experiencing some form of elder abuse. It is extremely important to know the signs that indicate this type of abuse – those who have experienced elder abuse have a 300% high risk of death when compared to those who have not been mistreated.
How to Spot Elder Abuse
Physical Acts Causing Pain or Injury
- Bruises
- Pressure Marks
- Broken Bones
- Abrasions
- Burns
Neglect
There are a broad range of situations that are associated with neglect. Not observing patient plans, not securing rooms, not labeling medications, not assisting with physical needs or intervening when a resident is in need are all instances that fall under this definition.
Sexual Assault
Sexual assault in nursing homes is believed to be severely underreported, making it difficult to provide accurate statistics. While hard to distinguish, some warning signs include:
- The victim’s report
- Bruises around breasts or genital areas
- Torn, stained or bloody underclothing
- Unexplained vaginal or anal bleeding
- Unexplained venereal disease or genital infections
Conduct inflicting emotional distress or psychological harm
- Belittling
- Threats
- Other uses of power and control by individuals
- Unexplained withdrawal from normal activities
- Sudden change in alertness or depression
- Strained relationships
Understaffing
The work of staff in Nursing Homes is not easy. Around the clock care for those who need to be fed, medicated, changed, bathed and entertained is an exhausting occupation. This is why understaffing is a huge part of the problems we find in neglect.
Medicare does not have a minimum resident-to-staff ratio, since many residents require different levels of care. However, health inspectors can use their judgement, and have consistently cited 1 in 8 nursing homes for having too few nurses. Nursing homes may not be required to have a minimum number of staff, but they do always require the presence of a registered nurse for 8 hours a day and a licensed nurse at all times. Of the 14,000 nursing homes that submitted payroll records, 7 in 10 had lower staffing than they had reported, and 25% had at least 1 day in 3 months when no registered nurses were at work. Numerous studies have showed that those with lower staffing tended to have more health code violations.
Abuse Prevention
1. Research facilities on past violations from the Department of Health in your state. Visit our resources section to learn more on reporting issues and receiving help.
2. Know what services are protected by law, and don’t be afraid to speak up if protocol isn’t followed.
3. Read agreements before signing.
4. When a family member enters a nursing home, most parties aren’t in a clear state of mind. Make sure you (or a lawyer) thoroughly read and review any paperwork involved in registering a resident. Many homes have passages to protect themselves in case of lawsuits.(Learn More)