Nursing home abuse and neglect is a serious issue that affects vulnerable elderly individuals throughout Georgia. Unfortunately, fear often prevents the victims from reporting the offenders. This can lead to prolonged suffering.
There are many underlying reasons why the victims of nursing home neglect and abuse are too fearful to report the incidents. Here are four major ways that fear can stop nursing home victims from reporting how they are being treated.
Fear of not being believed
When nursing home residents face neglect and abuse, they often worry that their claims won’t be taken seriously. They may also fear that their claims will be labeled as outright lies. Unfortunately, if the claims aren’t believed, the neglect and abuse can continue without consequence.
Fear of the emotional toll
Speaking out about nursing home neglect and abuse can take an emotional toll on the victims. Neglect and abuse can leave the victim feeling depressed and anxious. Reporting the incidents will require the victim to relive the events, and this can take an emotional toll and increase the feelings of depression.
Fear of the reporting process
Filing a report about nursing home neglect and abuse can be lengthy and confusing. Many elderly victims fear the reporting process. They may even become fearful when discussing the events with investigators, and this can prevent them from reporting what is being done to them.
Fear of isolation
Reporting nursing home neglect and abuse can isolate the victim from their community. Once staff are reported for bad behavior, the victim may be labeled a troublemaker. Or, they may be removed from the rest of the nursing home residents. This can increase the mistreatment and confirm their fears.
Although reporting nursing home neglect and abuse can cause fear, the process can help ensure a safer living environment. Victims can seek out resources to help them through the process and even request to be transferred to a different nursing home if they feel unsafe.