It can be both rewarding and distressing to be a caregiver for an aging family member. Often, admitting your loved one to a nursing home is the best option, but there’s a real fear that they may not receive the respect or care they deserve. While nursing homes often provide excellent care and support to elderly patients, there are unfortunate scenarios where staff are stretched too thin or care plans do not meet acceptable standards. As caregivers, especially within Black families where multigenerational caregiving is common, it’s important to be aware of how nursing home abuse affects our community.

Addressing these concerns while remaining vigilant ensures the safety and dignity of our loved ones. Elder abuse is a matter of great concern at a national level. Recent reports from the World Health Organization highlight an alarming statistic—1 in 6 aging adults experiences some form of abuse. This abuse could include physical, emotional, or financial mistreatment. Studies from the National Institute of Health (NIH) indicate that older non-whites were at twice the risk of whites (3.0% vs. 1.4%) for physical mistreatment (OR 2.19).

Nursing Home Abuse and Its Impact on Our Black Families

As Black families, we often find ourselves juggling the responsibilities of caring for multiple generations. It’s not uncommon for us to take care of our elders at home for as long as possible, sometimes because we fear they won’t receive the proper care and respect they deserve in nursing homes. Unfortunately, the reality of nursing home abuse is something we can’t ignore, and it disproportionately affects us when we already face systemic barriers to quality healthcare.

For those of us who rely on nursing homes to help care for our elders, staying vigilant is key. We need to regularly check in, speak up, and make sure our loved ones are treated with dignity. For Black caregivers, it’s not just about caring for our own families, but also about leaning on our community for support and resources to help lighten the load. Understanding our rights and recognizing the signs of abuse gives us the power to act and protect our elders from harm.

“Studies from the National Institute of Health (NIH) indicate that older non-whites were at twice the risk of whites for physical mistreatment .”

What is Elder Abuse?

According to the United States Department of Justice, elder abuse is defined as “an intentional or negligent act by any person that causes harm or a serious risk of harm to an older adult.”  Elder abuse does not have to be calculated or deliberate. Sometimes, abuse can occur due to oversight or caregiver carelessness. Anyone is capable of elder abuse, including family members, nursing home staff, nurses, and doctors. 

Types of Elder Abuse

Elder abuse can be narrowed down into various categories, including physical abuse, emotional abuse, financial abuse, sexual abuse, and neglect. Understanding these categories is crucial as it gives observers the knowledge to identify signs of abuse and take appropriate action.

• Physical abuse is characterized by any action that causes bodily harm. Pushing, hitting, slapping, or restraining an older person against their will are all acts of elderly physical abuse. This type of abuse could result in pain or injury and is also likely to lead to long-term mental distress. 
• Emotional abuse entails any action that causes psychological distress, including but not limited to name-calling, yelling, threats, and humiliation. Emotional abuse can also be perpetuated by isolating an older adult from friends or family or by using coercion to obtain a desired action or result. 
• Financial abuse includes stealing, committing fraud, embezzlement, or utilizing deceit to gain access to an elderly person’s funds or economic resources. 
• Sexual abuse happens when an older adult does not give consent to engage in sexual contact, often due to reduced capacity from Alzheimer’s, dementia, or other health conditions. 
• Neglect is failing to provide senior adults with basic needs, including food, water, shelter, or medical care. 

How to Recognize Elder Abuse 

Anyone in close contact with an aging adult can perpetrate elder abuse. This includes immediate family members, extended family, nurses, nursing home staff, doctors, or other patients. 

Signs of abuse can manifest in various ways. Unexplained bruises, scratch marks, fractures, or other injuries may indicate physical abuse. Sudden behavioral changes or mood swings could indicate any or all of the above-mentioned categories.  

If an elder is vulnerable to financial abuse, considerable or unaccounted-for financial transactions may indicate that they have been the victim of fraud or theft. A drastic change in spending habits could also imply nefarious or manipulative behavior by someone close to them. 

Abusive conduct can be intentional, but in many cases, it results from burnout, short-staffing, poor care plans, or lack of proper training or support for caregivers. Unintentional or not, elder abuse is a serious issue. If you suspect a case of elder abuse or neglect, it’s best to act quickly and decisively. 

What To Do if You Suspect Elder Abuse 

If you suspect that an elderly friend or family member is being or has been abused, the first point of action is to report the abuse. If possible, take photos of any physical evidence that suggests abuse has taken place (such as bruises, cuts, scrapes, etc.) Take notes about any conversations you may have overheard and save physical documents and medical records.

If you suspect a single individual is perpetrating the abuse, report their behavior to a nursing home administrator. If the abuse behavior appears institutional, contact your state’s adult protection agency. 

Legal invention may be necessary. Many law agencies specialize in cases of elder abuse. A trusted lawyer can offer invaluable advice about legal rights processes or help you to file a suit. For more detailed information, check out the resources provided by Nursing Home Law Center LLC. 

As a mother with a busy schedule, dealing with a situation involving elder abuse can be complicated and overwhelming. The mistreatment or neglect of elderly individuals is a significant and concerning issue that demands immediate attention. It is crucial to be aware of the rights and resources available to individuals who suspect that an aging loved one or someone they know may be at risk of abuse or neglect, particularly in the context of a nursing home or residential facility.

---