The social dynamics of elder care: Rituals of bureaucracy and physical neglect in nursing homes
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
7-1-2008
Abstract
This research concerns nursing home rituals involving bureaucracy and physical neglect. It uses 40 ethnographies, biographies, and autobiographies to explore various symbolic themes expressed through everyday interaction in nursing homes. The themes involve bureaucratic concepts such as staff separation, rules, documentation, and efficiency. They also involve ideas of physical neglect, such as medical dereliction, personal negligence, environmental negligence, and bodily harm. Relying on structural ritualization theory, this work argues ritualized symbolic practices of bureaucracy unintentionally manufacture attitudes and acts of mercilessness for workers in both for-profit and nonprofit nursing homes. This aids in the development of rituals facilitating the physical maltreatment of residents. Copyright © Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.
DOI
10.1080/02732170801898422
First Page
357
Last Page
388
Volume
28
Issue
4
Publication Title
Sociological Spectrum
ISSN
02732173
Recommended Citation
Ulsperger, J. S., & Knottnerus, J. D. (2008). The social dynamics of elder care: Rituals of bureaucracy and physical neglect in nursing homes. Sociological Spectrum, 28(4), 357-388. doi:10.1080/02732170801898422