An Empirical Examination of the Characteristics,Consequences, and Causes of Elder Abuse in Nursing Homes

This study examines the characteristics, consequences, and potential causes of patient abuse in U.S. nursing homes. Using standard thematic content analysis, 488 incidents of abuse reported to Medicaid Fraud Control Units throughout the nation were reviewed. Results suggest that the presence of a witness, gender of the offender in relation to the victim, and job-related factors have important implications in the prevention of nursing home patient abuse.