Around one in four workers in nursing homes have admitted to neglecting residents at least once, while one in 10 have seen a co-worker physically abuse a resident, a new study on elder abuse has revealed.

The study was based on a survey of over 1,300 registered nurses and healthcare assistants working in 64 public and private nursing homes nationwide. It was carried out by the National Centre for the Protection of Older People (NCPOP) at University College Dublin (UCD) and looked specifically at issues surrounding conflict, neglect and abuse.

The study found that many staff had witnessed or perpetrated acts of neglect and abuse, including physical, psychological and sexual abuse against residents.

Almost six in 10 (57%) said they had witnessed one or more neglectful acts in the preceding year, while at least one in four (27%) admitted that they had been involved in at least one neglectful act during the same time.

At least one in 10 (12%) admitted that they had witnessed another member of staff physically abusing a resident in the previous year. The most commonly seen forms of physical abuse were restraining residents beyond what was required, followed by pushing, grabbing, shoving and pinching residents.

Some 3% of those surveyed admitted they themselves had physically abused a resident in the last year.

Meanwhile, at least one in four (27%) staff said they had witnessed other workers being psychologically abusive to residents. The most common types seen were shouting at residents in anger, insulting them, swearing at them and isolating them beyond what was needed.

Almost one in 10 (8%) admitted to this type of abuse themselves.

The study also noted that a very small minority of staff admitted that they had witnessed or perpetrated sexual or financial abuse. Just over 1% said they had seen another staff member taking valuables from a resident, while less than 1% admitted to stealing themselves.

Less than 1% said they had seen a co-worker involved in inappropriate sexual behaviour with a resident, while just 0.2% admitted they had been involved in such sexual behaviour with a resident.

The researchers noted that a number of factors appeared to be linked to the risk of neglect and abuse, including low levels of job satisfaction, staff burnout, poor staff commitment and stress.

According to the study's lead author, Dr Jonathan Drennan, there is a need to ‘intensify efforts to protect older people receiving care', including giving older people a voice when it comes to decisions surrounding their care, educating staff and relatives about elder abuse and providing increased supports for those working in this area.

"At a national level all agencies that have an interest in the protection of older people should continue to be involved in the further development of strategies that both prevent and identify the abuse and neglect of older people receiving residential care," he added.

Commenting on the findings, Frank Murphy, chair of the HSE's National Elder Abuse Steering Committee, said the findings would be used to develop effective preventive programmes.

"In 2011, the HSE's dedicated elder abuse service received 2,302 referrals, which is the largest number in any year since the service began in 2007. It is a positive development that more people are coming forward for help.

"We urge older people who are being abused to seek help by contacting their local GP or public health nurse or phoning the HSE's information line to get contact details for their elder abuse case worker," Mr Murphy added.

The HSE's information line is available Monday to Saturday, from 8am to 8pm. Call 1850 24 1850.