Causes of Elder Abuse

Elderly individuals are among the most vulnerable groups in our society, and because of this, elder abuse is a significant issue nationwide. Elder abuse can manifest in numerous ways. 

Seniors can be abused physically or sexually when they are unable to protect themselves. Emotional abuse can occur in group living situations or from family members. Financial exploitation is another issue that arises with elderly individuals. 

Elder abuse can have a devastating impact on the victim, resulting in injuries, emotional distress, health decline, and even death. This population group is more vulnerable to abuse for many reasons, including physical limitations, cognitive decline, social isolation, and dependence on others. 

Cause of Abuse by Nursing Home Staff

Often, an elderly person will move into a nursing home to access consistent medical care and daily living assistance. Unfortunately, nursing home settings and other assisted living facilities are rampant with elder abuse. Nursing home abuse has become a significant issue nationwide, and many circumstances can lead to abuse and neglect in these environments. 

Mental Health Issues

Many victims of elder neglect or abuse in a nursing facility may deal with mental health issues. Depression, substance abuse, or personality disorders may contribute to abusive behaviors. Nursing homes can be stressful environments for these individuals, increasing their chance of acting out and hurting other residents or staff. 

Stress and Burnout

Nursing home staff members face stressful situations daily. Eventually, they could succumb to the weight of caregiver stress, financial strain, or burnout and lash out at nursing home residents. Family members may commit elder abuse in a nursing home during a visit if they feel stressed, burned out, or financially strained. 

History of Violence or Mental and Physical Abuse

Some individuals are more likely to display abusive behaviors than others, especially if they have a history of violence, mental abuse, or physical abuse. 

For example, someone who experienced abuse growing up may be more likely to abuse someone else, including an elderly individual in a nursing home. Those who have been violent in the past are more likely to engage in elder mistreatment, whether in nursing homes or elsewhere. 

Dependency on the Elder

Dependence on an older adult can also lead to abuse or neglect. This abusive or neglectful behavior often stems from the power imbalance between the two parties. 

The abuser may have emotional or financial dependence on the elderly individual, causing them to engage in physical abuse or emotional abuse to control them. Unfortunately, since the victim is physically frail, this could increase the risk of serious physical injuries and emotional damage. 

Relationship Risk Factors for an Elderly Person

Throughout the aging process, relationship dynamics change significantly, especially since many of the people an older adult grew up with may have passed away. Here are a few ways that relationship dynamics and family situations can cause elder abuse. 

Strained Dynamics With Family Members

Elder abuse may occur within the family. Family members are just as likely to engage in elder mistreatment as negligent nursing home staff. There may be elevated risk factors for the older family member if there are family conflicts, unresolved issues, or a history of dysfunctional relationships. 

Family dynamics can become more strained if the older adult is experiencing cognitive impairment, drug addiction, or physical health issues, leading to an increased risk of elder abuse.

Strained family relationships can compound the risks if the older person lives in a nursing home. Family members may avoid visiting their loved ones if there are ongoing conflicts, increasing the risk of certain types of elder abuse. Nursing homes can be unsafe for residents, but visitors may spot early signs of abuse to prevent further harm. 

Social Isolation

The older a person gets, the more they rely on close relationships for social interaction. The family and friends they grew up with may not be around anymore, so they often seek a social connection with others. Unfortunately,  this can open the door for various types of elder abuse, including financial abuse, sexual abuse, physical harm, and verbal abuse. 

Consistent visits can reduce the risk of elder abuse going unnoticed. An older person who is cognitively vulnerable may be incapable of reporting elder abuse or realizing what is happening, making this crucial to help prevent abuse. 

Shared Living Situation

Older adults may have higher physical needs than average, making them more reliant on others around them. Cognitive decline could also cause them to struggle with daily tasks or forget things. 

Becoming reliant on others who are not medical professionals can leave elderly individuals more vulnerable to psychological abuse, family elder abuse, and other types of harm. 

Societal and Systemic Factors

Elder mistreatment also stems from certain societal and systemic factors. The older population is often cast aside due to their higher care needs and physical or cognitive limitations. This has created a culture where the needs of the elderly are not consistently recognized or prioritized. Here are a few societal risk factors that contribute to the epidemic of elder abuse.  

Ageism and Negative Attitudes Towards Aging

Generally, there is a negative attitude toward the process of aging. People try to cling to youth with aesthetic procedures and physical improvements, all to avoid the appearance of aging. 

Additionally, many people focus on stereotypes about older adults that devalue this population group. These negative attitudes toward older people make elder abuse more likely to occur. A culture that views aging negatively is not a setting where elderly individuals can thrive. 

Lack of Awareness and Resources

Lack of education is another issue that elevates the risk factors for elder mistreatment. Many elder abuse cases occur because people do not realize how pervasive the problem is. 

For example, many families do not know the risks involved in nursing homes when they help their older family member move into a facility. They may not recognize the warning signs of elder abuse in their loved ones simply because they don’t know what to look for. 

Inadequate Staffing and Training in Care Facilities

One of the primary concerns for an older person in a nursing home is the lack of sufficient staff. Adults in facilities need assistance with physical and mental health care. If a facility lacks well-trained staff, it is challenging to meet patient’s needs. 

As a result, elder abuse and neglect can thrive in this environment. Understaffing, high turnover rates, and inadequate training can compromise the quality of care provided to each resident.

This may lead to more incidents of sexual abuse, self-neglect, poor personal hygiene, inadequate disease control, socially isolated residents, and interpersonal violence. 

Secure Expert Legal Representation! 

Elder mistreatment is more common than most Americans realize. It can happen in the home, a doctor’s office, a nursing home, or public. There are many causes of elder abuse, including societal attitudes toward aging, family relationships, inadequate staffing in nursing homes, and poor training of healthcare professionals. 

If you notice the signs of elder abuse with your loved one in a nursing home, the Nursing Home Law Center can help. Our law firm is committed to reducing the rate of elder abuse in these facilities by holding staff members accountable for abuse or neglect.

You have the right to pursue compensation for legal damages like physical pain and suffering, emotional distress, medical bills, and loss of enjoyment of life. With an attorney from the Nursing Home Law Center on your side, you will stand a better chance of winning a fair settlement. 

Our team will investigate your case, assess damages, gather evidence to support your claim, negotiate for maximum compensation, and represent you in court if necessary. We offer a free consultation so you can ask questions about your elder abuse case before committing to legal action.

Call us today at 800-926-7565 or complete the online form to request your free case review.