When elderly nursing home residents do not receive proper meals or are constantly worried about how the staff will react to a request, they may withdraw and not report the abuse happening to them.
Learning more about why they do not report abuse and how this happens can help you determine what to do next for your loved one.
Worrying about retaliation
According to the National Institute on Aging, any attempt from your loved one to discuss or report abuse from a worker may lead to retaliation against them. Since elderly residents tend to be unable to complete the majority of daily tasks by themselves, caregivers may withhold help.
Although abuse can be physical, such as hitting or pushing, it can also be mental. In some cases, your loved one may not know how to approach the topic with you or with another person outside the nursing home. Showing up at random times to see how the staff acts around the residents can help you if you notice odd behaviors.
Underestimating the impact
Sometimes, an elderly resident may not even realize how abusive a dynamic is until a third party steps in and talks with them. They may take the inappropriate replies and neglectful actions of a member of the staff as a normal part of living in a nursing home.
Being able to notice signs of abuse, like odd markings and bruises on your loved one’s body or an unwashed appearance, can help you. Not only are physical signs important, but financial abuse can also happen if a staff member steals money from a resident’s account or room. Knowing common reasons why your loved one may not report abuse is important.