Covert Elder Abuse in the Nursing Home

Abstract

Elder abuse continues to be of concern in our society. State Adult Protective Agencies constantly investigate reports of elder abuse. This descriptive, exploratory study used ethnographic field techniques to assess certain interactions that took place between staff members and nursing home residents. Some subtle forms of psychological elder abuse that involved personal choice issues, isolation, labeling, and other thoughtless practices were evident. The data showed that those least able to affect the outcome of their care were particularly affected.