Family Members' Reports of Abuse in Michigan Nursing Homes

Abstract

The objective of this article is to describe abuse and neglect of adults age 65 and older in Michigan nursing homes, as reported by members of their families. Using list-assisted random-digit dialing, data on abuse and neglect for a 12-month period were collected from individuals who had a relative age 65 or older in a Michigan nursing home. Of the nursing home residents represented in this analysis, the majority were female, Caucasian, and widowed. Neglect and caretaking mistreatment were the most frequent types of abuse reported. Comparison of these data with data from the National Ombudsman Reporting System suggests that family members constitute a sensitive source of data on abuse in nursing homes.

An inconvenienced youth? Ageism and its potential intergenerational roots.

“…In the workplace, despite considerable research indicating that job performance does not decrease with age (e.g., Cleveland & Landy, 1983; Liden, Stillwell, & Ferris, 1996; McEvoy & Cascio, 1989), evidence indicates that older job applicants are rated less positively than younger ones, even when they are similarly qualified (Avolio & Barrett, 1987). Many older people also face discrimination in the form of abuse and neglect, in nursing homes (e.g., Griffore, Barboza, Mastin, Oehmke, Schiamberg, & Post, 2009; Malmedal, Ingebrigsten, & Saveman, 2009) and even within their own families (e.g., Coyne, Reichman, & Berbig, 1993; Pillemer & Wolf, 1986; Ramsey-Klawsnik, 2004). Still more disturbing, this form of ageism is likely under-reported, due to caseworkers and doctors being less familiar with elder abuse than other forms of domestic violence (Nelson, 2005).…”

Maltrato institucional a adultos mayores

“…En relación al tipo de maltrato que se presentó más frecuentemente fue la negligencia (7,10,11,12) y el abuso psicológico (12).…”

“…Un aspecto importante a mencionar es que el 66% de los integrantes del equipo de enfermería refirió haber presenciado al menos un episodio de abuso o negligencia a los residentes por parte de sus colegas en los últimos 12 meses (11).…”

Elder Mistreatment in U.S. Residential Care Facilities: The Scope of the Problem

“…For example, observations and single case analyses (Kayser-Jones, 2002;Kayser-Jones et al, 2003;Kayser-Jones et al, 1999;Speaks, 1997;Stannard, 1973) have yielded rich and compelling evidence about the existence of elder mistreatment in nursing homes even though the results are not generalizable. Surveys also exist of workers in long term care facilities (Goodridge, Johnston, & Thomson, 1996;Malmedal, Ingebrigtsen, & Saveman, 2009;Pillemer & Moore, 1989) and residents and/or family members (Hawes et al, 2003;Griffore et al, 2009;Wang, 2005). For example, a survey of nearly 600 staff from 31 nursing homes in the United States (Pillemer & Moore, 1989) found that 36% had witnessed at least one incident of physical abuse during the preceding 12 months.…”