Abuse in Nursing Homes: Statistics
The Centers for Disease Control reports that, in 2020, there were 15,300 nursing homes and 1.6 million licensed beds in those homes. Unfortunately, the World Health Organization (WHO) reports these concerning statistics surrounding elder and nursing home abuse:
- Two in three staff members at nursing homes and other care facilities report they have committed an act of abuse in the last year.
- COVID-19 led to an increase in the rate of abuse against older individuals.
- Psychological abuse is the most reported type of abuse experienced by elders in nursing homes and institutional settings.
Types of Nursing Home Abuse
There are seven primary types of nursing home abuse that a person may suffer. Below, we discuss each type of abuse and the signs of each.
1. Physical Abuse
According to WHO data, 9.3% of abuse reported by nursing home staff is physical abuse, and 14.1% of these cases are reported by the victim themselves or their proxies. Federal regulations define physical abuse as being hit or subjected to other forms of violence that lead to injuries sustained by the elderly resident.
In many instances of physical abuse, the violations are serious enough to cause real harm to residents and/or to place the residents in immediate jeopardy of death or serious injury. Acts of physical abuse include:
- Hitting
- Pushing
- Kicking
- Burning
- Restraining someone inappropriately
- Using objects to cause harm
The following are signs that an elder is the victim of physical abuse:
- Unexplained bruises, burns, or fractures
- Multiple injuries in various stages of healing
- Flinching when others make sudden movements
- Wearing clothing to hide injuries regardless of weather
- Making excuses for injuries that don't match the explanation.
2. Sexual Abuse
Sexual abuse includes, but is not limited to, sexual harassment, sexual coercion, sexual assault, non-consensual contact or behavior, unwanted touching, and sexual exploitation. The 2024 data from WHO shows that this type of nursing home abuse accounts for 2.5% of reported cases.
Signs can include physical indicators like bruising or bleeding in private areas, torn clothing, or difficulty walking/sitting, as well as behavioral changes like:
- Withdrawal from social contact
- Changes in mood or disposition
- Anxiety, especially around certain parties
- Depression
- Abnormal sleeping issues
3. Emotional & Verbal Abuse
Emotional and verbal abuse occurs when a person’s pattern of behavior and repeated statements harm someone else’s emotional well-being and self-worth. This type of nursing home abuse can include:
- Making threats of harm
- Saying things to frighten a resident, such as telling a resident that he or she will never be able to see his or her family again
- Gaslighting
- Constant criticism and humiliation
Victims of emotional and verbal abuse exhibit similar symptoms to other forms of abuse, like depression, anxiety, and withdrawal. You might also notice that they apologize excessively, make self-deprecating comments, are fearful of making mistakes, and engage in different eating patterns.
4. Abandonment
Abandonment occurs when a caregiver or responsible party deserts someone who depends on them for care, support, or basic needs. This can mean physical abandonment or emotional desertion of responsibilities.
Signs of this form of abuse include:
- Continually missing important appointments
- Having a lack of basic supplies
- Expressing feeling forgotten or unwanted
Involuntary Seclusion
At times, emergency or short-term monitored separation from other residents for a limited period of time is necessary as a form of therapeutic intervention to reduce agitation until professional staff can develop a plan of care to meet the resident’s needs. These instances are not considered abuse. However, if seclusion is used primarily for staff convenience and not for the resident’s needs, or there are less restrictive approaches known and available to staff, then it may constitute abuse.
5. Financial Exploitation
Nursing home abuse can also take on the form of financial exploitation. This abusive act involves the unauthorized or improper use of someone's resources for another's benefit. This can include stealing money or possessions, forging signatures, forcing changes to legal documents, or pressuring someone to give away assets.
Signs include the following:
- Unexpected changes in bank accounts or banking practices
- Unexplained withdrawals
- Unpaid bills despite adequate resources
- Missing valuables
- Sudden changes in wills or power of attorney
6. Neglect of Basic Needs
This type of abuse occurs when a caregiver fails to provide essential care, services, or supervision needed for health and safety. This includes inadequate food, shelter, clothing, medical care, or hygiene assistance. Signs include:
- Malnutrition
- Dehydration
- Untreated medical conditions
- Bed sores
- Poor personal hygiene
- Unsafe or unsanitary living conditions
- Lack of necessary medical aids (glasses, hearing aids, medications)
7. Self-Neglect
This type of nursing home abuse typically involves a person failing to attend to their own needs. This can occur due to physical or mental health challenges, cognitive decline, or other factors affecting self-care ability. Signs include:
- Hoarding
- Maintaining unsafe living conditions
- Engaging in poor personal hygiene practices
- Experiencing malnutrition
- Ignoring untreated medical problems
- Isolating from support systems
While this differs from abuse by others, it requires similar attention and intervention to ensure the person's well-being. Nursing home staff also have a duty to their residents and should intervene if a resident is neglecting themselves.
Get Counsel from Our Experienced Attorneys
Elder abuse is often difficult to detect, yet it may leave your elderly loved one with significant physical or emotional scars. It is important that you monitor your elderly loved one continuously to help protect him or her from abuse.
The team at Pierce, Sloan, Kennedy & Early LLC has over a century of collective experience. Let us help you explore your legal options and pursue compensation for negligence or abuse experienced at a nursing home.
To schedule an initial consultation, call (843) 968-0886.