How would you respond to elderly patient abuse? This survey found that 60 percent of nurses would ignore it. Do you think this is a fair portrait?

This does seem to be very disturbing. More interesting is that so many people admitted to it. Does everyone think that this percentage of nurses really feel this way?

Geez that sounds like a pretty bad situation. What is the reporting process usually like? Where does the communication breakdown usually occur?

I am appalled at that notion, that elder abuse goes un reported. I am a new nurse, and maybe not quite as jaded as some that have been nurses for years. I see elder abuse, I take action. Folks you are the advocate for these most often helpless ones, if you don't stand on the tracks while the train is bearing down on one of your charges you are just as guilty as the one who do the actual abuse. My God! Cover ups, No wonder Elder Care is getting more Federally Regulated than other fields. The women I work with and the facility I work in we take Elder Abuse very serious. If you could hurt one of your charges, you are not a nurse. YOU ARE A CRIMINAL!

(sorry i tend to rant on this subject)

Thanks silverswan. It seems to be the general consensus among nurses that reporting is the best option, yet these types of offenses seem to be getting more numerous. Why does everyone think this is?

I agree with that, and to take it further it comes down to the almighty dollar doesn't it now. If your unit looks bad then your hospital looks bad and so on and so on. We should act, as we are trained to do. If we are wrong then a good nurse would understand, however, if we are right, then we have done our jobs as the patient advocate we are suppposed to be . I say there ought to be a special Hell for anyone who would harm the aged. I go to work every day and I see the faces of my mother and father in my Residents. I would hope that everyone could see their charges the way that I do.

I was shocked that so many nurses admitted to not reporting elder abuse. I have known people in GA and FL who worked for the state as investigators for elder abuse. Their investigations were thorough and a few resulted in nurses losing their licenses. No matter the red tape and paperwork, we owe it to our elderly patients to protect them from abuse.

I would totally step in and give them a "shame on you!" I would try to get to the bottom of the problem and at least separate them. How could anyone turn a blind eye? That does not seem right! Sure seems like too many people have become careless and selfish, not willing to help others. Sad, so sad! We should at least care enough to try to do something.

i have reported resident abuse ,not physical but, neglect due to orders not being carried out and the out come has not been good. the majority of the time there is no feed back or you're considered a troublemaker. what do you do, it's frustrating because some people do have souls.

i have reported resident abuse ,not physical but, neglect due to orders not being carried out and the out come has not been good. the majority of the time there is no feed back or you're considered a troublemaker. what do you do, it's frustrating because some people do have souls.