Abuse in Canadian long-term care homes: a mixed methods study

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Public Health
• Health Law

Background:

• Long-term care (LTC) homes are mandated to protect residents from various forms of abuse.
• Ensuring resident safety and well-being in LTC facilities is a critical public health concern.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the extent and nature of resident abuse in Ontario's LTC homes between 2019 and 2022.
• To identify discrepancies between LTC legislation and the reality of resident abuse.

Main Methods:

• A qualitative mixed-methods approach utilizing document analysis and descriptive statistics.
• Analysis of LTC legislation, provincial inspection reports, and major Canadian newspaper articles.
• Data extraction focused on inspection details, abuse types, and legislative compliance.

Main Results:

• 9% of LTC inspections (781) revealed findings of abuse, with physical abuse being the most frequent (37%).
• 385 LTC homes reported at least one abuse incident, and 55% experienced repeat offenses.
• Newspaper articles corroborated inspection findings and offered resident/family perspectives.

Conclusions:

• A significant gap exists between LTC legislation and the actual occurrence of resident abuse.
• Implementing strategies like improved staff training, leadership investment, and a quality framework can enhance resident care and safety.