Glossary of Nursing Home Abuse Terms

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z #

Click on the first letter of the word from the list above to go to the appropriate section of the glossary.

- E -

Edema: Excessive accumulation of water in the tissues.

Elder Law: Laws regarding the rights of elderly people.

Eldercare: Programs, support systems, laws, and funding that meet the needs of the elderly. Examples include Social Security, health insurance, and elder law.

Elder abuse: Any physical, sexual, verbal, psychological, or financial abuse perpetrated against an older adult. Elder abuse is most often committed by caretakers, whether they are family members or nursing home staffers. Many victims do not report violations because they are scared or ashamed.

Elopement: The ability of a nursing home resident who is not capable of self-preservation to successfully leave the nursing home unsupervised and undetected and enters into a harmful situation.

End-Stage Renal Disease: Permanent kidney failure requiring lifetime dialysis or a kidney transplant.

Error: In the legal sense, a mistaken interpretation of facts or application of the law that can prove grounds for an appeal.

Exemplary Damages or Punitive Damages: Compensation greater than what is necessary to cover losses received by the plaintiff. These damages are awarded to punish the defendant for his behavior.

Evidence: Proof of a probative matter presented at trial for the purpose of inducing belief in the minds of the jury or judge. Evidence comes in a variety of forms, including testimony, writings, tangible objects, and exhibits.