Are frail older people less exposed to abuse in nursing homes as compared to community-based settings? Statistical analysis of Slovenian data

Abstract

Introduction: Although international research in recent years has often focused on elder abuse, its extent is not clear in community-based settings and even bigger mystery in nursing homes.

Background: Until now in the literature it has in most cases only been assumed that nursing homes offer better protection from abuse for frail older people.

Methods: A cross-sectional research design was applied by use of structured interviews. Those involved were frail older people (n=300) who were in need of some sort of professional nursing assistance.

Results: Nursing home accommodation was extracted as the strongest predictor, significantly reducing the risk of physical abuse (odds ratio, OR 0.1, 95% confidence interval, 95% CI 0.0-0.3) and financial abuse (OR 0.2, 95% CI 0.1-0.4). Spouses and sons were revealed as the most regular perpetrators of physical and financial abuse. The results showed no statistical significance between settings as predictors of the occurrence of mental abuse (OR 0.9, 95% CI 0.5-1.6).

Discussion: Results of the statistical analysis add to the general assumption that nursing home accommodation offers protection for frail older people in escaping physical and financial abuse.

Conclusion: In their clinical practice, community nurses should give special attention to frail older people who, besides their healthcare needs, are also heavily dependent in the activities of daily living (ADLs). In order to combat elder abuse, conditions in the family should be regularly verified.