One of the most reprehensible acts that a person can commit is elder abuse. Older adults are often defenseless, and nursing home staff can and often do take advantage of vulnerable residents. If you or a loved one are suffering abuse at the hands of nursing home staff, then you consider legal action immediately and report the matter to the appropriate agency.
Emotional abuse is one of the most insidious ways in which nursing home staff can abuse residents. Unfortunately, emotional abuse can be difficult to spot, and you may not know if you or a loved one are actually being abused and don’t want to escalate an innocent situation. In the material below, we explain some of the signs and types of emotional abuse that often occur.
Causing Mental Anguish
People often describe anguish as severe mental and physical suffering. Individuals suffering from anguish are often both physically and mentally abused. Signs of anguish are very easy to detect. Physical wounds and other trauma, such as bedsores and bruises, will almost always be present as an indicator of trauma. Mental wear can be a bit more subtle to detect.
Withdrawal, fear, and anxiety are common signs of mental anguish. If you or a loved one are suffering from anguish, you may be the victim of significant emotional abuse. You should contact a nursing home attorney immediately.
Causing Emotional Pain
Causing mental pain is a behavior that can be considered emotional abuse in nursing homes. Older adults can be particularly sensitive, especially if their mental faculties are impaired. In private, they can be intimidated by the nursing home staff.
Nursing home staff can also inflict emotional pain by isolating residents from their friends, family, and loved ones. Mental pain is difficult to detect, as many people naturally keep their feelings to themselves. Unfortunately, many emotional abuse victims suffer from mental pain, unbeknownst to their friends and relatives.
If you suspect that your loved one is suffering from mental pain, give us a call immediately to discuss your legal options.
Inciting Fear
Does your loved one suffer from irrational and sudden fear? For example, when a certain attendant comes over to them, do they seem fearful or withdrawn? Do they attack this person or yell at them?
If so, it very well could be a sign of emotional abuse. When nursing home staff members use fear to intimidate or bully residents, it is a form of emotional abuse. Emotional abuse is often seen as harmless and not taken seriously by the nursing home, especially if the victim hasn’t suffered physical harm. Causing fear is far from harmless. You should consider immediate legal action if you notice this behavior from your loved one.
Causing Distress
Distress is a state of significant mental strain and stress. Examples of situations that may cause distress include experiencing an attack, involvement in an accident, or a serious injury.
Distress is a unique situation of being placed under immense pressure. If your loved one is antsy and suffering from anxiety in the nursing home, it could be a sign that nursing home staff members are causing him or her distress. You should consult with them to figure out why they are behaving that way and investigate.
Humiliation
Another way in which nursing home residents can engage in emotional abuse is by intentionally humiliating residents. Humiliation can be particularly emotionally damaging and may significantly affect residents’ mental states and quality of life. Pay close attention to your loved one to see if they are exhibiting any signs of emotional trauma.
Threats
A poor sense of security is the ultimate red flag as far as emotional abuse is concerned. Once your loved one feels threatened in a nursing home, it’s time to discuss your options with a nursing home attorney.
Nursing homes are supposed to make their residents feel safe. The moment this obligation, your loved one has a right to file a claim against the facility. With a professional lawyer on your side, you can turn the tides in your favor and recover compensation from those responsible for your losses.
Isolation from other Residents
When certain people face distress, they will tend to bottle up their feelings and stay to themselves. This can bring on depression and worsen residents’ health conditions.
Intentionally isolating residents from others without reason can often be considered emotional abuse.
An abusive nursing home employee can abuse residents and prevent them from participating in social events. Doing so can damage their health and stop them from engaging in healthy social interactions. Entering a nursing home is already a stressful time for your relative. Being taken advantage of this just adds to that stress. Fortunately, in many cases, a lawyer can help.
Controlling
Controlling a resident is a particularly damaging form of emotional abuse. After all, residents rely on the nursing home staff to help them perform various activities. Depending on the person, they may also rely on nursing home staff for help with basic functions, such as taking a bath or using the bathroom.
Unfortunately, emotional abuse victims can have their needs taken advantage of, which can result in significant emotional and psychological harm. Fortunately, if residents can point to specific examples of controlling or otherwise abuse behaviors, they can often recover compensation.
Name Calling, Insults, and Mocking
Verbal abuse is still abuse. Name-calling, insults, and mocking of any kind can cause serious psychic harm to older nursing home residents who are dependent on others for their needs. Over time, your relative can experience significant discomfort and fear when encountering abusive nursing home staff.
They may experience damaged self-esteem and keep their feelings to themselves, expecting to cope with their situation. If you notice any awkward behavior when you visit your relative, investigate. By talking more to your loved one, they may reveal details that are indicative of emotional abuse. If they do, call a lawyer right away.
Isolation From Family and Friends
Any forced isolation from family and friends is an action that can be considered emotional abuse. In many cases, abusive nursing home staff will fear that their victims will report their abuse to family members and friends. As such, they will deny their victims the chance to interact with their loved ones as much as possible. They could do this by direct intimidation, promising harm upon them if they were to tell. They can also actively keep victims away from their phones to silence them.
If you haven’t heard from your loved one in a while, it’s best if you visit them just to be safe.
Refusing Service or Assistance
Another way in which nursing home staff can abuse residents is refusing to perform their duties, including providing food, medicine, or help with tasks when they are needed.
If your loved one tells you that the nursing home staff haven’t been providing a service, such as bathing them or helping them to use the bathroom, then you can make a complaint to their manager. In addition, in some cases, refusing to help a nursing home resident can rise to a level of actionable neglect. For this reason, if your loved one has complained about a lack of help, you should speak to a lawyer.
Yelling
Nursing home staff are supposed to behave respectfully to all residents. The moment they do not, residents can file a complaint against them. The nursing home is supposed to reprimand an abuser and take corrective action when staff members are rude or abusive toward residents.
When a nursing home fails to do so, they are contributing to emotional abuse and can often be held liable. Has your loved one told you of any yelling that has happened between them and a nursing home employee? If so, you should discuss your options with an attorney as soon as you can.
Mocking and Shaming
Mocked and shaming residents is another particularly damaging form of nursing home abuse. Residents who are mocked and shamed by staff members can suffer from mental anxiety and anguish, which can be difficult to detect at first glance.
When you visit or speak with your loved one, be sure to note if he or she is acting strangely. If their behavior is off, then you should notify the nursing home management. If the facility does not take action, you should consider your legal options. You can hire an attorney to investigate acts of shaming by nursing home staff and determine whether your loved one is entitled to compensation.
Gossiping About Nursing Home Residents
It may seem harmless, but nursing home staff should not gossip and talk to others about a resident in a demeaning way. Doing this can cause residents to feel embarrassed and isolate themselves from others.
Much like in high school, where an in-crowd may gossip about others, the same effect can happen in nursing homes. In some cases, nursing home staff can become inappropriately involved in residents’ social lives, potentially engaging in conduct that could rise to the level of emotional abuse. If you suspect that there has been harmful gossip about yourself or a loved one, you should speak to an attorney immediately.
Threatening Physical or Sexual Abuse
Threatening overt physical or sexual abuse is a particularly dangerous form of abuse. Even if these threats are empty, it is still emotionally damaging when a staff member threatens a resident.
A resident who has experienced threats can file a complaint against their abuser. If the management does not take their complaint seriously, he or she should speak to an attorney to determine whether they have a case.
The nursing home may attempt to blame your relative’s advanced age for the complaint and claim that no threats took place to protect themselves. Hire a lawyer to hold them accountable.
Ignoring the Resident’s Concerns
Nursing homes are supposed to meet all of their residents’ needs. When they don’t, residents may hold them liable for neglect. If your loved one has communicated to you that their needs are being ignored, investigate. You can usually tell if your relative hasn’t showered or staff members have been neglecting his or her living area. If you suspect this kind of neglect, make a complaint to the nursing home staff.
Most likely, the nursing home knew what was going on and didn’t report anything to you. If you find yourself in this situation, you should contact an attorney immediately.
Keeping the Resident from Participating in Social Events
Many nursing homes regularly have social events. This is to help older residents get acquainted with one another and grow their comfortability. Social interaction is healthy for senior citizens. Depriving them of this time can be damaging to both their physical and mental health. Isolation is one of the primary causes of depression, and someone employed by the nursing home can be the one keeping your relative from engaging with others.
Do you have your suspicions? If so, call a nursing home attorney today to build your case.
Ignoring Requests for Assistance
One of the best things about moving your loved one into a nursing home is that the facility is supposed to meet all of their needs. Nursing home staff should provide residents with reasonable assistance any time they ask. If they make a habit of denying the requests of a resident, it can amount to nursing home neglect. If the nursing home notices this and does nothing about it, you can hold them liable and file a claim.
Giving Them the “Cold Shoulder”
When was the last time you visited your relative or friend in the nursing home? Have they ever told you of an employee that continually gives them the “cold shoulder?” or otherwise being neglected by staff members?
When they notice that staff members are ignoring them, they’ll grow anxious and try to do things on their own. This could lead to a long-term injury if they were to fall and hurt themselves. Be on the lookout for any nursing home staff that doesn’t treat your loved one with the care and attention they need.
Taking Away Important Items
Are staff members at the nursing home bullying your loved one? Are their important items being taken away, such as their walker or glasses? This is a clear sign of emotional abuse. Naturally, many people don’t like talking about these experiences, even with their loved ones.
Bullying can make an older person feel hopeless and result in significant emotional harm. Contact a nursing home attorney today to discuss your options.
Look out for Signs of Emotional Abuse
If you know your loved one very well and visit them frequently, then you may spot a sudden change in their behavior or personality. Older adults are often very excited to meet their loved ones and friends during a visit. If they seem suddenly and uncharacteristically aloof and quiet, then something may be wrong. If this behavior persists, then you may have a larger problem on your hands. This means you should investigate to learn more about what’s going on. Below, we discuss some common signs that your loved one may be suffering from the effects of emotional abuse.
Withdrawal From Social Activities
If you are noticing that your friend or loved one isn’t regularly participating in social events, then you need to investigate. Fortunately, it could be for an innocuous reason as they are trying to catch up on TV or a good book.
But, if this behavior becomes consistent, you may want to investigate and ask them why they are acting withdrawn or otherwise unlike themselves. If you’re not satisfied with the answer they provide, keep digging. Most times, emotional abuse victims won’t feel comfortable disclosing their vulnerabilities, even to their closest relatives. With that said, don’t hesitate to contact a lawyer if you notice strange behaviors of withdrawal.
Thoughts of Suicide and Self Harm
If your loved one is contemplating suicide, then you should contact a mental health care professional and nursing home attorney immediately. Thoughts of suicide usually come after a bout of depression, loneliness, and anxiety.
Emotional abuse victims may feel like there is nowhere else to turn and attempt to end their own life. Unfortunately, it’s difficult to identify signs of impending suicide. You can sometimes see evidence of a person harming themselves, but every situation is different. Talk closely with your relative if you believe that they are a victim and reassure them before getting them the help that they need.
Failure to Care for Themselves and Take Medication
Issues brought on by emotional abuse like depression, anxiety, and loneliness can contribute to a senior citizen refusing to care for themselves and take their required medication. They may be stuck in a severe state of distress and don’t wish to continue with their life.
Changes in Long-Standing Habits
You can usually notice when a person isn’t doing too well. That individual may not be sleeping like they should, eating well, or losing too much weight. All of these signs point towards a stressful event that’s taking place.
The next time you visit your loved one, take a good look and them. Have they recently lost a lot of weight? Is it noticeable that they’re not eating as they should or getting enough rest?
If that’s the case, then you should investigate immediately to learn more about their condition.
Low Self-Esteem
Emotional abuse can have significant and negative effects on nursing home residents’ self-esteem. After being abused, they may feel even hopeless. When visiting your loved one, do you notice that they look away from you? Are they uncharacteristically shy or quiet? If so, then you should investigate right away.
An elder abuse victim may be hesitant to reveal any details to you. If your intuition is telling you that something is wrong, then something probably is.
Deferring to One Nursing Home Attendant More Than Others
If your loved one is more deferential to a particular attendant, it may be a sign that he or she is experiencing emotional abuse in the nursing home. If they are clingy to one nursing home attendant and will only interact with that person, something is likely wrong. Nursing homes are supposed to employ a full team of respectful and friendly staff to make residents feel at home. When a resident only feels comfortable around one nursing home attendant, then you can suspect that the other employees aren’t too nice to them.
Fear of a Particular Caretaker
Does your loved one live in complete fear of a particular caretaker? If so, then here are a few ways you can get down to the bottom of the issue. You can try talking to other residents in the nursing home to see if your relative has any problems with a particular caretaker.
If warranted, you can file a complaint with the nursing home management and wait for the next steps. If this behavior continues, the next step is filing a claim. Hire a nursing home attorney today to discuss the next steps for pushing your claim to civil court.
Repetitive Behavior
People who experienced a stressful environment for a significant period will often exhibit repetitive behaviors, such as:
- Pulling one’s hair
- Grinding their teeth
- Sucking on their hand
- Rocking back and forth
All of these actions are indicative of a person in severe distress. If you notice this behavior, then you’re witnessing a clear red flag that abuse may be an issue.
The human body will often try to cope with emotional stress in unusual ways, including performing a consistent action to overcompensate for a chaotic environment. If you observe repetitive behaviors, don’t sit idly by while your loved one is suffering in a nursing home – call an attorney today.
Tired, Stressed, or Unkempt Staff
Nursing home staff should be clean, neat, and professional. Unkempt, overly tired, or unprofessional staff could signal other problems at the facility.
It’s no secret that the more tired you are, the more irritable you are. Tired and stressed nursing home staff are more likely to lash out at residents. A nursing home should look much like a home, where the staff members are like family to your loved one. If you see anything different and notice signs of emotional abuse, then contact a lawyer today to discuss your legal options.
History of Elder Abuse
Unfortunately, nursing homes that have had problems with elder abuse in the past will spend a lot of money and utilize all of their resources to brush the history under the rug. Unsuspecting people who may not have done in-depth research may inadvertently place their loved ones into these facilities where there is a chance that they will suffer from nursing home abuse.
If you are suspecting emotional abuse, then you need to conduct comprehensive research into the nursing facility. If you find any concerning details, contact a lawyer right away with your suspicions.
Treating the Resident Like an Animal or Child
Nursing home attendants should always treat residents with dignity and respect. Even if they require assistance, nursing home staff should give them the respect and dignity they deserve.
In some severe cases, emotional abuse takes the form of treating residents like children or pets. These instances can result in significant emotional and psychological harm, and victims need to protect their rights by retaining an experienced lawyer immediately. By hiring a skilled attorney, you can collect damages and hold all parties responsible for their roles.
Preventing the Resident from Speaking to You
You should pay close attention to how nursing home staff behave when you are talking to your loved one. Are they interrupting in a way to prevent them from speaking to you directly?
Is something unusual going on? You may notice your relative grow sad when an abusive staff member calls their name. Their facial expressions will tell you everything. If you suspect anything, ask around to find out about your relative’s relationship with a particular staff member. You can also firmly request to speak with your loved one alone if an abusive nursing home attendant confronts you. If staff members do not let you see your loved one alone, contact the management – and an attorney – immediately.
Serving as a Resident’s Only Caretaker
There are cases where nursing home residents develop a bond with a particular staff member, so not every special relationship should be a red flag. However, if your loved one is only around a certain caretaker in a negative way, then something could be very wrong.
For example, if you are noticing that your relative is distraught every time they are around a particular caretaker or a caretaker is possessive of the resident, then that’s a red flag that you should fully investigate. If you notice any signs that a particular member of the staff is emotionally abusing your loved one, you should speak to an experienced attorney right away.
Acting Hostile or Evasive When Questioned
Like any service provider, quality nursing homes should pride themselves on their professionalism and ability to provide a safe environment for residents. If you have your suspicions and question nursing home staff about their practices, they are supposed to respond professionally. If they are acting hostile and evasive, then it means you should immediately pull your resident from their facility and call a lawyer.
Typically, an innocent party doesn’t get hostile when confronted with allegations of negligence or wrongdoing. If the facility’s staff reacts to your questions with hostility or evasiveness, perhaps there is something truly going on behind the scenes that you aren’t aware of.
Exaggerated Concern or the Lack of Concern Towards a Resident
Is a nursing home attendant acting strangely clingy to your loved one? Are they insisting that they should spend more time with them? If you are noticing this awkward behavior, then you should investigate further.
It’s certainly true that an attendant who is particularly close with your loved one may be innocent of any emotionally abusive conduct. They could also be up to no good. The reality is that you shouldn’t take a chance of ignoring a potential issue, whether an attendant is showing too much concern or not enough.
What to Do if You Discover Emotional Abuse of a Loved One
If you have discovered signs of emotional abuse, then you should hire a nursing home attorney today. Nursing home attorneys know how to help nursing home residents recover compensation and hold negligent facilities accountable.
In addition, you should report the matter to the appropriate state agency. That agency will likely conduct an investigation and issue punitive sanctions if it finds a problem. In many cases, agency action is the best way to ensure that other residents in the facility do not suffer from emotional abuse at the hands of their caregivers.
How to Hire the Best Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer Near You
Are you wondering how you can hire the best nursing home attorney for your emotional abuse claim? Choosing the best attorney will go a long way towards obtaining the full and fair value of a nursing home abuse claim.
To select the best lawyer for your case, make sure you follow these steps:
- Browse online reviews. Online reviews are an amazing resource for consumers to vet a potential local business.
- Look at their record. Does the law firm typically handle cases like yours? If so, what is their record? How many dollars in settlements have they won?
- Schedule a consultation. Ultimately, this is the best way to see a potential attorney in action. Fortunately, initial consultations are often free.
If you need help standing up for your loved one’s rights and well-being, you should never wait to seek assistance and guidance from an experienced nursing home abuse and injury attorney in your area. The right nursing home lawyer will advocate for your loved one and seek justice on their behalf. Contact Brauns Law Accident Injury Lawyers, PC today.
