A recent investigation by CNN discovered that instances of sexual nursing home abuse committed against residents of nursing homes are much higher than most realize.

About The Nursing Home Abuse Study

According to the Administration for Community Living, more than 16,000 sexual abuse allegations involving U.S. nursing home and assisted living residents have been made since 2000.

These nursing home abuse claims are only those that involved long-term care ombudsmen in the complaint resolution process. The total number of sexual assault claims could be far higher, as no extensive data exists concerning all reported claims across the country.

Court records, along with federal and state statistics, reviewed by CNN show nursing homes often avoid reporting and investigating allegations of sexual abuse. Law enforcement also often dismiss these claims by citing victims’ difficulty remembering the events, according to the investigation.

State regulators charged with monitoring nursing homes funded by Medicare and Medicaid also failed to mark caregivers who had multiple sexual abuse allegations on their record.

Federal citations have been issued to more than 1,000 nursing homes concerning the mishandling of resident sexual abuse allegations. Nearly 100 facilities have been cited multiple times for abuse allegations such as rape and assault.

From 2010 to 2015, citations were issued against 226 nursing homes that failed to protect their residents from confirmed sexual abuse.

Approximately 60 percent of these cases resulted in more than $9 million in fines. However, only 16 nursing homes and assisted living facilities were permanently removed from Medicaid and Medicare funding.

The CNN investigation found that:

  • 386 sexual abuse claims against residents of nursing homes were filed in Illinois in 2013. Caretakers were implicated in 201 claims, only 59 of which were confirmed.
  • Eight sexual abuse claims were investigated in Hawaii from 2011 to 2015 and five involved the victim’s caretaker.
  • 251 sexual abuse claims were filed in Texas in 2015 and only 11 were confirmed.

In approximately 25 percent of sexual abuse claims, a nurse, aide or other staff member was implicated as the abuser.

Several claims also involved resident on resident abuse, or abuse by family members, visitors, or an unknown perpetrator.

However, those that involved a caretaker or nursing home staff member tended to be more serious and involved sexual assault by forced intercourse, digital penetration and oral sex.

From the investigation, CNN concluded sexual abuse in U.S. nursing homes is widespread and must be better recognized and investigated to protect the country’s increasing elderly population.

Choose Our Tulsa Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers

We are strong defenders of the rights of nursing home residents and will vigorously pursue and investigate any claim of elderly abuse or neglect. If you suspect that your loved one has been abused by those charged with his or her care, our Tulsa nursing home abuse attorneys will not hesitate to help you take action. Call us today for a free case assessment.