Elder mistreatment in the long-term care setting

Elder mistreatment (EM) is a wellknown problem in nursing homes (NHs). Resident-to-resident aggression is the most common form of EM, but facility staff, family members, and other individuals can be perpetrators. As the population of older adults continues to grow, the demand for long-term care services will increase. The presence of more residents in NHs raises the risk for EM, especially if adequate staff-to-resident ratios are not maintained and staff education on EM is lacking. This article provides an overview of the types of EM; discusses reporting of EM; reviews intervention and prevention strategies; and outlines the epidemiology, risk factors, common perpetrators, signs and symptoms, morbidity and mortality risks, and screening and assessment of EM.