Nursing Home Abuse and Women

Nursing home abuse and neglect is a significant issue affecting the elderly, particularly women. Unfortunately, this form of abuse can have severe physical, emotional, and psychological consequences for the victims.

The mistreatment can come from staff, other nursing home residents, or even family members. The personal injury attorneys at Nursing Home Law Center, LLC, legally advocate for victims of elderly abuse in nursing homes.

Contact our nursing home abuse lawyers at (800) 926-7565 or use the contact form to schedule a free consultation. All confidential or sensitive information you share with our legal team remains private through an attorney-client relationship.

Elder abuse refers to mistreatment or harm inflicted on an older adult. This type of abuse can take various forms, including physical, sexual, emotional, or financial abuse and neglect. The mistreatment of older adults is a serious issue affecting a significant portion of the elderly population.

Unfortunately, older women are at a higher risk of experiencing elder abuse, including nursing home abuse, than their male counterparts. It is due to several factors, including longer life expectancy and a higher likelihood of needing long-term care services, such as nursing homes or assisted living facilities.

Family members are the most common perpetrators of elder abuse, including nursing abuse. staff members at nursing facilities may also be responsible for the abuse of elderly women in their care.

Additionally, elderly women with Alzheimer's disease or other cognitive or physical impairments may be at a greater risk of experiencing abuse or neglect.

It's important to note that elder abuse is significantly underreported, with only about one in 14 cases being reported to authorities, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).

It makes it essential for each nursing home resident and community to be aware of the signs of elderly abuse and know how to report abuse if they suspect it.

Nursing home abuse and neglect is a pervasive problem, particularly among elderly women. Here's a comprehensive look at the statistics on elderly abuse in the United States:

• The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) reported over 35,000 nursing facility abuse complaints in 2018.
• WHO estimates that elderly abuse affects 1 in 6 older adults worldwide.
• In a National Center on Elder Abuse study, 68% of elderly mistreatment cases reported to Adult Protective Services involved female victims.
• According to the National Institutes of Health, older women are twice as likely to experience nursing facility abuse as men.
• According to the National Council on Aging, financial exploitation is one of the most prevalent forms of elderly abuse, with women being more likely to be victims of financial abuse.
• According to the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, widowed or divorced women are at an increased risk of elderly abuse involving emotional and bodily harm. With women living longer than men, it increases their chances of receiving substandard care due to their extended life expectancy.

These statistics highlight the significant impact of elder abuse on elderly women in nursing homes and the urgent need to prevent and report abuse cases.

Physical assault is any form of physical harm or injury inflicted on an elderly person, including hitting, pushing, or restraining. Female nursing home residents are particularly vulnerable to physical abuse, which can result in a range of injuries, including:

• Bruises, cuts, and lacerations
• Broken bones
• Bedsores
• Dehydration or malnutrition

The staff, including nurses and aides perpetrate most nursing home neglect cases. In some cases, families of nursing facility residents may also be responsible for physical abuse.

Sexual abuse against elderly women in nursing homes is a disturbingly common form of abuse. Many female residents cannot defend themselves or communicate their experiences of sexual abuse.

The prevalence of sexual abuse in nursing homes against female residents is a significant problem and is estimated to be underreported. Recognizing sexual assault and abuse in nursing homes can be difficult, as victims may have difficulty communicating the incidents or lack of physical signs.

Studies suggest that 0.7% to 2% of elderly women in nursing homes have experienced sexual abuse. This figure may be higher, as many sexual assault cases go unreported.

Sexual abuse can have significant psychological and physical effects on female residents. Some of the most common effects include:

• Depression and anxiety
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Physical injuries and infections
• Social withdrawal and isolation

Psychological abusive behavior is any behavior that causes emotional pain, distress, or fear. This type of abuse can be challenging to identify, but it can significantly impact female nursing home residents' mental and psychological health.

Common types of psychological abuse in nursing homes experienced by female residents include:

• Intimidation and threats
• Humiliation and degradation
• Isolation and social withdrawal

Studies have shown that 10% to 20% of nursing home residents experience psychological abusive behavior. Female residents are at an increased risk of experiencing psychological abusive behavior than male residents.

This abuse can devastate the mental and psychological health of female residents. It can result in depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), as well as physical symptoms such as insomnia and headaches.

Verbal assault is spoken or written communication intended to cause emotional harm or distress. Female residents are often subjected to verbal assault by staff or other residents.

Social isolation is a common form of emotional abuse that can result in significant mental and physical health consequences. Many women experience social isolation.

The elder mistreatment of isolation may put the female resident at a greater risk of depression, anxiety, and other mental health problems. They may also be more likely to experience physical health problems such as cardiovascular disease and hypertension.

Abuse and neglect against women are complex issues with many underlying causes. Understanding the primary causes can help prevent abuse and improve the quality of care for female residents.

Staff factors are one of the primary causes of nursing facility abuse, mistreatment and neglect against women. Inadequate staffing and training, staff burnout and stress, and lack of oversight and regulation all contribute to staff mistreating female residents.

• Inadequate Staffing and Training - Nursing homes with low staffing levels are likelier to experience abuse, mistreatment and neglect. Understaffing can lead to a lack of proper care and inadequate attention to individual needs, resulting in staff mistreating female residents.
• Staff Burnout and Stress - The staff in nursing homes are often overworked and understaffed, leading to burnout and stress. Burned out staff are more likely to mistreat female residents, including neglecting their needs or emotionally abusing them.
• Lack of Oversight and Regulation - The lack of oversight and regulation in nursing homes contributes to the mistreatment of female residents. Staff may act with impunity without proper oversight, knowing their actions will not be caught or punished.

Resident factors, including cognitive and physical impairment and behavioral issues, can contribute to mistreating female residents.

• Cognitive and Physical Impairment - Female residents with cognitive and physical impairments risk being abused or neglected. Staff may perceive these residents as challenging to care for, leading to neglect or mistreatment.
• Behavioral Issues - Female residents with behavioral issues are also at a higher risk of being mistreated. Staff may become frustrated or overwhelmed by the resident's behavior, leading to emotional or physical assault.

Systemic factors, including data collection and reporting issues, contribute to the underreporting and mishandling of mistreatment and neglect cases in nursing homes involving older adults.

• Issues with Collecting Data - The underreporting of nursing facility abuse, mistreatment and neglect against women is significant. The lack of accurate data makes identifying and addressing systemic issues challenging.
• Failure to Report Abuse - Fear of retaliation or legal repercussions may prevent female residents or their families from reporting abuse cases.

Understanding the primary causes of mistreatment and neglect against women is essential to preventing abuse.

Addressing staffing, training, and oversight issues, as well as addressing resident behavioral and cognitive issues and improving reporting abuse, can help prevent abusive behavior, mistreatment and neglect against female residents.

While awareness of the warning signs of nursing home abuse is crucial, prevention is the best action to protect every older person receiving residential care.

It's essential to watch for the warning signs of nursing facility abuse, mistreatment and neglect. Some of the most common indicators include unexplained injuries, changes in behavior or personality, poor hygiene, malnutrition, and dehydration.

If you suspect that your loved one is being abused or neglected, it's essential to report it to the appropriate authorities.

If you suspect your loved one is being abused or neglected, it's crucial to report it immediately. You can report nursing facility abuse and neglect to the facility's administrator or the state's residential care ombudsman.

You can also contact the National Center on Elder Abuse (NCEA) for assistance in reporting abuse and getting your loved one the help they need. Remember, reporting abusive behavior is crucial to protecting your loved one and preventing further harm.

Were you or a loved one harmed by neglect or abuse by staff, employees, or other residents in a nursing home? If so, you may have a legal case against the nursing facility for compensation.

Our personal injury attorneys at Nursing Home Law Center, LLC, are here to help you. With a contingency fee agreement, we only get paid if we win your case.

We offer a free consultation to discuss your case and hold the nursing facility financially accountable for the abuse or neglect. Contact us at (800) 926-7565 to learn more. Don't wait to get the justice you deserve.

• Reporting Suspected Nursing Home Abuse | NCEA
• More Scrutiny Necessary to Protect Long-Term Facility Residents | GAO