Elder Mistreatment in U.S. Residential Care Facilities: The Scope of the Problem

• NCJ Number: 243003
• Journal: Journal of Elder Abuse & Neglect Volume: 25 Issue: 1 Dated: January - February 2013 Pages: 19-39
• Author(s): Linda R. Phillips, Ph.D.; Guifang Guo, Ph.D.; Haesook Kim, Ph.D.
• Date Published: January 2013
• Length: 21 pages
• Grant Number(s): 2007-037
• Sponsoring Agency: Retirement Research Foundation
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This study was designed to describe the scope of mistreatment in assisted living facilities (ALFs) in Arizona during a 3-year period.

Abstract

Many in the United States believe elder mistreatment in long-term care is serious and widespread, but until recently few studies focused on the problem. This study was designed to describe the scope of mistreatment in assisted living facilities (ALFs) in Arizona during a 3-year period. Findings showed that receiving citations for elder mistreatment was relatively rare. However, analysis of narrative reports from only 7 percent of facilities showed 598 allegations of mistreatment in complaint investigations, of which 372 (62.2 percent) were substantiated and given citations for something other than mistreatment. Results show that elder mistreatment in ALFs is seriously under-identified, even by State inspectors. Abstract published by arrangement with Taylor and Francis.