NCJ Number
147574
Journal
Journal of Elder Abuse and Neglect Volume: 5 Issue: 4 Dated: (1993) Pages: 95-111
Date Published
1993
Length
17 pages
Annotation
This study examined institutional elder abuse in Orange County, California, using data recorded in Long-Term Care Ombudsman Office records over a 7-month period between October 1991 and April 1992.
Abstract
Researchers were given access to 162 reported cases of alleged elder abuse. Case records contained descriptive statistics, such as age, race, and gender, and information on abuse type and abuser characteristics. The elder abuse incidence rate for Orange County, with 534 long-term care institutions, was calculated as 0.03 per bed for skilled nursing facilities and 0.008 per bed for residential care facilities. Physical assault and neglect were the most frequent abuse types, and the median age of abuse victims was 83.3 years. Abusers were most often care custodians, facility employees, or children of the abused. Most abuse cases were resolved by discussion or a move to a different facility, but a facility employee was dismissed in 13 cases. Study data demonstrate the need for large-scale prospective studies to explain why institutional abuse occurs and what can be done to prevent it. 21 references and 6 tables