Nursing home abuse takes place when caregivers harm residents of the facilities. Whether it's intentional or unintentional, it's still considered abuse and the consequences can be dire, with the end result of distress, physical pain, medical injuries, or even death in extreme cases. Certain groups are more vulnerable than others when it comes to abuse; like many other types of abuse, victims of nursing home abuse are more likely to be women.
Women are More Likely to be Elder Abuse Victims
For elder abuse in general, studies have shown that individual-level factors which may increase the risk of abuse include the gender of the victim. Women likely have a higher risk of more constant and severe forms of injury and abuse.
Since elder abuse is related to nursing home abuse, it isn't surprising that women tend to be at higher risk for this form of abuse as well.
Explanation for Why Women are More Likely to be Abused
Here are reasons that women have a higher risk for nursing home abuse:
- Women are perceived to be easier targets: Because of the societal views of women as victim or as frail and weak, they will be targeted more. This occurs for women at all ages, but as they increase in age, the females become even more vulnerable as elderly adults are perceived as victims.
- Women live longer than men: An important risk factor is just a mere matter of life expectancy.
- Women outnumber men in nursing homes: Related to the reality that women outlive men is that the sheer numbers help contribute to the victimization of women in nursing homes.
Types of Nursing Home Abuse Experience
Women in nursing homes are abused in the same ways that men are abused, including the following:
- Physical abuse
- Emotional, verbal or psychological abuse
- Financial abuse
- Sexual abuse
- Neglect
Although both genders can suffer from all these kinds of abuse, there are forms that are more prevalent for women than men. For instance, elderly women are at higher risk of neglect and financial abuse, especially in some cultures where women have inferior social status.
Sexual Abuse in Nursing Homes
Sexual abuse is the form that is most imbalanced towards women in nursing homes. Although there is a general misconception that younger women are sexual abuse women, it's not uncommon for nursing home to experience it. Related to this misconception is that many studies indicate that older women are less likely to report any type of sexual abuse. It's unfortunate that more women don't report this mistreatment because they can often sustain serious harm and won't receive the care that they need to treat the injuries.
Protect your Loved Ones from Nursing Home Abuse
Whether your loved one is female or male, they can experience abuse while residing in their nursing home. They don't deserve this treatment, and the perpetrators should be held accountable. If you or someone you know has experienced nursing home abuse, you should immediately talk to a skilled nursing home abuse lawyer. Contact us here at Walton Law to get started.