To read this content please select one of the options below:

Abuse in care? A research project to identify early indicators of concern in residential and nursing homes for older people

David Marsland (Centre for Applied Research and Evaluation, The University of Hull, Hull, UK)
Peter Oakes (Centre for Applied Research and Evaluation, The University of Hull, Hull, UK)
Caroline White (Centre for Applied Research and Evaluation, The University of Hull, Hull, UK)

The Journal of Adult Protection

ISSN: 1466-8203

Article publication date: 13 April 2015

1272

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to contribute to the prevention of the abuse of older people in residential and nursing homes, through the identification of “early indicators of concern”. Such indicators support practitioners in identifying services in which older people are at risk of abuse, neglect and ill treatment.

Design/methodology/approach

Semi-structured interviews were conducted with health and social care practitioners in two local authorities (in England and Scotland), who had visited services in which abuse or neglect had occurred. Practitioners were asked about the things that they had seen within the service which had caused them to become concerned.

Findings

Over 90 early indicators of concern were identified. These indicators were grouped within six themes which identify key manifestations of service cultures which may promote the abuse of older people.

Practical implications

Information and guidance has been developed to enable practitioners to recognise early indicators and identify services in which older people are at risk and in which actions are required to help prevent the onset of abuse.

Originality/value

A range of studies have highlighted the importance of organisational cultures in promoting the abuse of older people. The early indicators identified through this research represent visible signs of such poor service cultures which can be observed by practitioners, enabling them to recognise services in which older people are at greater risk.

Keywords

Acknowledgements

The authors wish to acknowledge the financial and practical support from the local authorities, health bodies, and the Scottish Government which has made this research possible. The authors are extremely grateful to all health and social care practitioners who have participated in and contributed to this study. The arguments and conclusions presented here are those of the authors and do not reflect the views of any of the agencies and organisations concerned.

Citation

Marsland, D., Oakes, P. and White, C. (2015), "Abuse in care? A research project to identify early indicators of concern in residential and nursing homes for older people", The Journal of Adult Protection, Vol. 17 No. 2, pp. 111-125. https://doi.org/10.1108/JAP-08-2014-0027

Publisher

:

Emerald Group Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2015, Emerald Group Publishing Limited

Related articles