Not Your Typical Elder Law Firm

Resident-to-resident elder mistreatment is a serious matter

On Behalf of | Oct 25, 2019 | Elder Abuse |

When people hear about violence against nursing home residents, they often think about it being at the hands of the staff members. They don’t think about the possibility of residents becoming violent toward each other. This is known as resident-to-resident elder mistreatment, or RREM.

Unfortunately, there isn’t much research on RREM, which can make it difficult to understand. Without an understanding of it, long-term care facilities might not be as prepared to stop it from happening. This has a negative impact on everyone in the facility, including other residents.

Regardless of the type of violence that occurs in these facilities, the chance of the victim suffering greatly is increased. These residents are often frail and have health challenges that may be exacerbated by the violence.

The causes of RREM vary greatly, but there are some factors that are often present. Around 40 to 60% of long-term care facility residents feel aggression or agitation. Around 80% suffer from cognitive impairment. These often lead to frustration that causes them to act out.

Not all cases of RREM are physical. It is fully possible that it will encompass emotional or verbal abuse. Sexual abuse is also possible. Even though those might not be as evident, they are still just as serious and can do just as much damage.

The victims of these incidents might suffer from various types of damages, some of which might be monetary. They may opt to pursue a claim for compensation to try to minimize the financial impact of the situation. This can help to cover bills for medical care and similar expenses.

FindLaw Network