Nursing Home Abuse Statistics

Nursing Home Abuse Statistics

• 1 out of 3 nursing homes across the country have been cited for nursing home abuse and other related infractions.

• 11% of nursing homes have been cited for unnecessary dispensing of prescription drugs

• 1/4 of the aides prosecuted for abusing patients have previous criminal records and 5% of nursing home aides across the nation have criminal records.

• 1 to 2 million Americans over 65 have been abused, neglected or mistreated by their primary caregiver.

• In 1999, 5,000 death certificates of nursing home patients listed dehydration, malnutrition, starvation, or bedsores as the cause of death.

• CNN reports that just over 90% of nursing home facilities are understaffed. These staff shortages lead to increased instances of health problems, neglect, and abuse.

• Only 16% of elder abuse cases are ever reported, according to the National Elder Abuse Incident Study.