Interventions to Prevent Resident-to-Resident Mistreatment in NHs Needed

Authors of a recent study identified individual and environmental characteristics associated with resident-to-resident elder mistreatment (RREM) in nursing homes (NHs) and determined that increased intervention is greatly needed.

RREM has considerate physical and psychological consequences, explained the study authors; however, related factors to incident occurrence are not always clear.

To better understand, the researchers conducted an observational study across 5 urban and 5 suburban randomly selected New York state NHs based on size and location. The final sample included 2011 residents at 10 facilities. Authors conducted resident interviews, staff interviews, shift coupons, observation, chart reviews, and accident/incident reports to find potential correlates and RREM.

Per the multivariate analysis, “Individuals involved in RREM incidents exhibit milder dementia, show behavioral symptoms, and are less functionally impaired.”

Further, the authors explained that while special care units provide added benefit for patients, particularly those with dementia, they come with an elevated risk for RREM.

Overall, the results of the analysis demonstrate that interventions to prevent and intervene in RREM incidents in NHs are necessary, but more research into targeted intervention for specific correlates will be needed—especially among residents with milder impairment, with behavioral symptoms, and those in special care units.

Reference:
Pillemer K, Silver S, Ramirez M et al. Factors associated with resident‐to‐resident elder mistreatment in nursing homes. J Am Geriatr Soc. 2021. doi:10.1111/jgs.17622