Between 1999 and 2001, more than 5,000 nursing homes were cited for almost 9,000 abuse violations. Violence, neglect, and misappropriation of funds are all forms of nursing home abuse. These are criminal acts that can occur all too frequently in some of these facilities.

The Nursing Home Reform Act of 1987 mandates that all residents in nursing homes are entitled to receive quality care, and to live in an environment that maintains or even improves their quality of life, including both physical and mental health.