Nursing Home Abuse - By the Numbers

Nursing Home Abuse Statistics and Reports

Nursing home abuse is a pervasive and alarming issue that affects countless vulnerable seniors across the United States. By examining the statistics and understanding the scope of the problem, we can work together to protect our loved ones and hold abusive facilities accountable.

Nursing Home Facilities and Residents

  • There are around 15,300 nursing homes in the U.S. as of 2020.
  • These facilities have approximately 1.6 million licensed beds.
  • Around 1.3 million residents lived in U.S. nursing homes in 2020.

Prevalence of Nursing Home Abuse

  • The National Council on Aging (NCOA) estimates that up to 5 million older Americans experience abuse every year, with many residing in nursing facilities.
  • Approximately 1 in 10 nursing home residents in the U.S. experiences some form of abuse, according to the National Center on Elder Abuse (NCEA).
  • Nearly 16% of nursing home residents report being abused.
  • In 2023, nursing homes received 94,499 health citations, with 7,654 (8.1%) related to abuse, neglect, or exploitation.

Types of Abuse

  • Physical abuse was the most common type (38% of complaints) in 2022 nursing home abuse cases.
  • Neglect accounted for 24%, psychological abuse 16%, financial exploitation 14%, and sexual abuse 8% of reported cases.
  • A national survey revealed that over 64% of elder abuse victims are women.
  • In a survey of 577 nurses and nursing aides, 81% said they had witnessed emotional elder abuse, with 40% admitting to committing at least one incident themselves over a 12-month period.

Impact and Risk Factors

  • Abused nursing home residents are 3 times more likely to be hospitalized.
  • Victims of elder abuse have a 300% higher risk of death compared to non-victims.
  • Up to 50% of people with dementia may experience abuse.
  • Around 64% of nursing home staff admitted to abusing residents over a 1-year period.
  • For-profit nursing homes (69% of total) tend to have more deficiencies than non-profit or government-run facilities.

Staffing Levels and Deficiencies

  • In 2023, 26% of nursing facilities had serious deficiencies, up from 17% in 2015, potentially due to decreased staffing.
  • The average hours of care per resident per day dropped 9% from 4.13 hours in 2015 to 3.77 hours in 2023.
  • U.S. nursing homes were fined $153 million in 2023 for health violations, around $10,000 per facility.
  • The most common citation (30%) was for not reporting suspected abuse or neglect promptly.

Underreporting and Barriers to Reporting

  • Despite the high prevalence of abuse, only 1 in 24 cases is reported to authorities, according to the NCOA.
  • The U.S. Justice Department notes that caregiver neglect is the most unreported type of abuse, with only 1 out of every 57 cases being reported.
  • A May 2023 congressional investigation found that most states have nursing home inspection backlogs due to stalled federal funding.
  • 31 states and the District of Columbia had average inspection staff vacancy rates above 20%, with Kentucky (83%), Alabama (80%), and Idaho (71%) having the highest rates.

Nursing Home Abuse Statistics and Reports

These alarming statistics underscore the urgent need for increased awareness, prevention efforts, and accountability measures to protect vulnerable nursing home residents. If you suspect that your loved one is experiencing abuse or neglect in a nursing facility, it is crucial to take action immediately.

At FreeNursingHomeAbuseReport.com, we are dedicated to supporting families through the process of reporting abuse and holding negligent facilities accountable. By filling out our simple online form, you can request information on a specific nursing home and receive guidance on documenting and reporting abuse. Our experienced team will connect you with local resources and legal support to help you navigate this challenging situation.

Your vigilance and advocacy can make a significant difference in the lives of nursing home residents. Don’t let fear or uncertainty prevent you from speaking up. Take the first step in protecting your loved one by reaching out to FreeNursingHomeAbuseReport.com today. Together, we can work to end nursing home abuse and ensure that all seniors receive the quality care and respect they deserve.

Compassionate Assistance for Nursing Home Abuse Concerns

At FreeNursingHomeAbuseReport.com, we’re all about providing free, empathetic support and essential resources to families who suspect their loved ones are facing nursing home abuse. We understand how overwhelming and heartbreaking this can be. That’s why we’re committed to standing by your side through every step of this journey, offering our guidance and support without any cost. Let us help you bring peace and protection to your loved ones.

© 2024 Copyright Nursing Home Abuse Report – All rights reserved
Powered by Free Nursing Home Abuse Reports
Scroll to Top