Why are abuse and neglect frequent in nursing homes?

 

A:

  • There are several reasons
  • Understaffing, which creates pressure on the staff that is there and anxiety about completing their day's work on time
  • Poorly trained staff, who for instance, may not know how often they should be turning their bedridden patients to prevent bedsores
  • Staff with a history of violence, who may become rough with residents who don't cooperate quickly enough
  • Reluctance on the part of residents to report abuse or neglect, for fear of retaliation. This makes it "safe" for whichever staff is committing the abuse or neglect
  • Increasing public awareness of nursing home abuse may give a partial illusion that the abuse is increasing