Nursing Home Abuse Statistics [2024 Updated]

Nursing home abuse is a pervasive issue in care facilities across the United States. With the growing population of elderly individuals requiring assistance, nursing homes play a vital role in providing care and support. Yet, abuse and neglect of vulnerable residents remain significant concerns. Those with family members in nursing homes should be aware of nursing home abuse statistics, including the prevalence, types, and impact of abuse on residents in these facilities.

Abuse in nursing homes can take many forms, ranging from physical mistreatment to emotional exploitation. Despite efforts to improve conditions in long-term care facilities, incidents of abuse and neglect continue to occur.

Prevalence of Nursing Home Abuse in 2024

Elder abuse in nursing homes is far more common than most people realize. Residents often face physical or cognitive limitations that make them more vulnerable to mistreatment.

Family members are often the first to notice signs of abuse, but many incidents occur out of sight, leaving the vulnerable elderly at the mercy of caregivers who may be overworked, undertrained, or malicious. This is a stark reality of nursing home abuse, where the elderly can suffer in silence due to neglect or mistreatment by those entrusted with their care.

Common Types of Abuse in Nursing Homes

Abuse in nursing homes manifests in various forms. Some of the most common forms of nursing home abuse include:

• Physical Abuse. This form of abuse involves the use of physical force that may cause injury or pain to a resident. It can include hitting, slapping, pushing, or using excessive restraint. Physical abuse often results in visible injuries such as bruises or broken bones. Nursing home falls can also be a consequence of inadequate supervision or improper handling of residents, leading to further physical harm and long-term complications.
• Emotional or Psychological Abuse. Emotional abuse is characterized as verbal assault, threats, humiliation, or isolation. It can leave deep psychological scars, even if no physical injuries are present. Emotional abuse is often harder to detect but is believed to be one of the most common forms of mistreatment in nursing homes.
• Sexual Abuse. This is any form of non-consensual sexual contact with a resident. Unfortunately, elderly residents, especially those with dementia or cognitive impairments, are frequent targets of sexual abuse in nursing homes.
• Neglect. Neglect occurs when caregivers fail to provide basic needs such as food, water, hygiene maintenance, or medical care. In severe cases, neglect can lead to bedsores, infections, malnutrition, or dehydration.

Updated 2024 Statistics on Nursing Home Abuse

Physical Abuse

Physical abuse is one of the most frequently reported forms of abuse in nursing homes. According to the National Library of Medicine, 2.5 million nursing home residents experience physical abuse in long-term care facilities each year.

Signs of physical abuse include unexplained injuries, broken bones, bruises, and sudden changes in a resident’s behavior. Often, these incidents occur when nursing home staff are inadequately trained or facilities are understaffed, leading to frustration and mistreatment.

Emotional and Psychological Abuse

Emotional and psychological abuse is prevalent, affecting over 11.6% of nursing home residents, according to the NCEA. Because emotional abuse does not leave visible scars, it can be more difficult to detect than other forms of abuse but just as damaging. Residents who are verbally berated, humiliated, or isolated from others may exhibit signs of depression, anxiety, and withdrawal from social interaction.

Sexual Abuse

Sexual abuse in nursing homes, while less frequently reported (only about 5% of residents report sexual abuse), remains a serious concern. Victims of sexual abuse often have cognitive impairments or conditions such as Alzheimer’s, making them unable to defend themselves or report the abuse.

FAQ

What Is the Most Common Form of Abuse in Nursing Homes?

One of the most common forms of abuse in nursing homes is neglect. Caregivers often fail to meet the basic needs of residents, for example, providing adequate food, water, medical care, and personal hygiene maintenance, leading to serious health complications. These complications can include urinary tract infections, bedsores, other types of infection, and even sepsis.

What Percentage of Staff Members Abuse the Elderly in Nursing Homes?

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 64.2% of staff members in nursing homes and other care facilities reported that they carried out some form of abuse against residents in the past year. Family members should be vigilant and look for signs of abuse when visiting their loved ones in these facilities.

What Is the Leading Cause of Abuse in Nursing Homes?

One of the most significant causes of abuse in nursing homes is inadequate staffing, which can lead to neglect and other forms of abuse. Residents often do not receive the level of care they need because there are not enough caregivers to meet the demand. This can stem from budget cuts and lack of training. When a caregiver is under-trained, they are not prepared for the job, creating high staff turnover.

How Can a Lawyer Help if I Suspect My Loved One Is a Victim of Nursing Home Abuse?

If you suspect your loved one is a victim of nursing home abuse, a lawyer can help you investigate the abuse, collect relevant evidence, and pursue a claim against the abusive facility. They can guide you in ensuring your loved one’s rights are protected and seeking sufficient compensation for harm suffered.

1. How Can Families Protect Their Loved Ones From Nursing Home Abuse?
2. Families can protect their loved ones from nursing home abuse by visiting frequently, maintaining an open line of communication with staff, and looking for signs of abuse, such as poor hygiene, changes in behavior, and unexplained or frequent injuries. If you suspect nursing home abuse, you should report it to the facility. If nothing is done, gather as much evidence as possible and speak with a lawyer about your legal options for addressing the situation.

Contact Pleasant Law, PLLC, for Assistance

Abuse and neglect in nursing homes are serious problems that can have devastating outcomes for elderly residents and their families. If your loved one has suffered due to abuse, Pleasant Law, PLLC, can guide you through the legal process of seeking compensation and holding the care facility accountable for their behavior.

Taking legal action can provide compensation for your loved one’s suffering and encourage nursing homes to improve their standards of care and stop elder abuse. Contact us today to schedule a consultation.