Elder Abuse; A long ignored issue

Elder abuse is a long-standing issue that doesn’t get the recognition it deserves. To help you understand how big of an issue elder abuse truly is, I will share some statistics. In one nursing home, 91% of staff reported that they had witnessed some form of neglect or improper care. Furthermore, 89% of staff reported that they had provided some improper form of care or neglected residents. Those numbers are shockingly high.  These increased numbers are a result of improper training, understaffing, and the increased vulnerability of older adults.  

Improper training can include a variety of factors. From a shortened training period and sending staff into the workforce before they are ready, to a general lack of knowledge and workforce experience, many nursing home staff members are undertrained. The average training period for a direct caregiver in a nursing home is under seven days. Travel aides may get as few as four hours of orientation to the facility they are working at. The lack of experience and education is dangerous to both staff and residents. 

“ Neglect occurs when individuals fail to provide care to patients. By some estimates, patients are far more likely to die from neglect than any other health care offense.”  Hence, why elder abuse is such an important topic to discuss. Neglect is clearly a strong factor in the health and wellbeing of the elderly population, and is an issue that needs to be adressed. 

Elderly adults in nursing homes are one of the single most vulnerable populations. Many elderly adults are in the care of nursing homes due to physical or cognitive illnesses or declines.  Because of these factors, they are easier to take advantage of. Many claims of abuse can also be dissolved and blamed upon residents' poor state of being. Claims can be let go of alone on the basis that the resident is making up or imagining false scenarios. Due to these conditions, abuse of the elderly population is more difficult to detect. As well as claims being dismissed, residents are often unable to protect themselves. Older people generally are weaker, both mentally and physically, due to aging. These normal factors make them more susceptible to abuse.  

Some critics may argue that certain claims should be dismissed due to the nature of the person/people reporting it. However, given the high rates of elder abuse, many of these claims could stand true. Others  may argue that elder abuse in nursing homes is due to poor administration and a lack of oversight or leadership. This is partially true, because understaffing is an issue, but so is improper training. While a lack of strong leadership can be an issue, it does not drown out the greater problem of a system reliant on improper training. 

Elder abuse is a nationwide problem that is not discussed enough. It is an issue that lies underneath the bigger systemic issues in healthcare, and although it does not get the attention it deserves, elder abuse is prevalent in many retirement and nursing communities. If you suspect elder abuse, call the elder abuse hotline at 1-800-490-8505. 

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