How Common Is Nursing Home Abuse in Illinois?

Nursing home abuse is prevalent throughout the United States. The National Center on Elder Abuse estimates that one in six elders experience abuse, and studies have found higher incidences in institutional settings, such as nursing homes. According to the studies, the rates of abuse at nursing homes range as follows:

• Physical abuse – 14.1 to 29 percent
• Psychological abuse – 33.4 percent
• Financial exploitation – 7 to 13.8 percent
• Neglect – 11.6 to 14 percent
• Sexual abuse – 1.9 to 7 percent
• Resident-to-resident abuse – 22 percent

Due to underreporting, we know that the real percentages are higher. As many as 51 percent of staff interviewed admitted to psychologically abusing residents during the previous year, including yelling and swearing at residents, improperly isolating them, and withholding food. Fifty percent admitted to pushing, shoving, and grabbing residents.

These numbers increase when interviewing residents. In a study of over 2,000 residents, 44 percent stated that they had experienced abuse, and 95 percent experienced neglect or witnessed other residents being neglected. According to the World Health Organization, nearly two-thirds of staff admit to committing nursing home abuse during the last year.