The Prevalence of Resident-on-Resident Elder Abuse in Nursing Facilities

A study published in the journal Annals of Internal Medicine states that at least one in five nursing facility residents is subject to abuse by other nursing facility residents. A large amount of this aggression in nursing facilities is due to the fact that some residents suffering from Alzheimer’s or Dementia are being placed in communal living environments that are unfamiliar to them, as they likely spent most of their lives in a private residence. This factor can exacerbate the behavioral issues in some individuals with these afflictions and increase the likelihood of conflict in nursing facilities. Resident-on-resident abuse can take on many forms, including: physical, verbal or sexual abuse.

Many individuals that reside in nursing facilities have lowered inhibitions due to mental or physical impairment, which can contribute to the rate of resident-on-resident abuse as well. To combat this issue, there are steps nursing facilities can take to reduce agitation in patients suffering from dementia or other neurodegenerative disorders. These include, but are not limited to: reducing or eliminating loud noises, introducing music therapy, introducing aromatherapy, reducing overcrowding, aiding residents in getting more exercise and eliminating the use of overly bright lighting. Additionally, caregivers in nursing facilities can be taught more effective techniques for handling situations in which a resident with Alzheimer’s or Dementia becomes agitated.