Elderly Physical Abuse in Nursing Homes

Nursing homes are often for-profit corporations that sacrifice care quality to save a buck. They operate facilities on shoestring budgets while their owners and investors become millionaires. They create the following conditions that contribute to nursing home physical abuse:

• Understaffing. Overwhelmed staff rush through care, become angry with residents who require more of their time, and use inappropriate methods, such as sedation and catheterization, to reduce their workloads and manage patients.
• Poor working conditions. Nursing home staff often feel overworked, underpaid, and underappreciated. They may take their frustrations out on residents, especially those with higher needs.
• Lack of training. Poorly trained nursing home staff are not properly equipped to handle aggressive resident behavior effectively or respond appropriately to residents with dementia.
• Negligent hiring. Staff shortages and poor working conditions create high staff turnover and make it difficult to fill positions. Some will hire just anyone without performing appropriate background checks.
• Lack of supervision. Inadequate staffing levels make it harder for staff to supervise residents, putting residents at risk of violence from other residents or personnel.