When your elderly loved ones become too mentally or physically weak to take care of themselves, you may have to make the difficult decision to place them in a nursing home or assisted living facility. However, many unsafe elderly care facilities have been uncovered in recent months. Psychological abuse of the residents is a major concern in these assisted living facilities.
The elderly deserve care and respect, but not all nursing home staff members provide this positive attention. Sometimes, things like stress, overwork, depression, and substance abuse can cause a caregiver to lash out and mistreat elderly residents. While physical abuse is certainly horrific, psychological abuse can be just as devastating, yet it is more difficult to detect.
Psychological abuse in nursing homes can take several forms, including:
Of course, one of the main things that you should look for when visiting your elderly loved one is signs of the relationship between your loved one and his or her caregiver. If the caregiver seems rude or brusque, they may be at risk for lashing out. If the resident seems to shrink away from the caregiver or seem uncomfortable around him or her, then this can indicate some type of abuse as well.
Sometimes, however, a caregiver can act perfectly kind and normal around residents when family members visit. Instead, you must carefully watch your elderly loved one for signs of abuse. Psychological abuse can cause Alzheimer's disease-like symptoms such as mumbling to oneself and rocking. Additionally, you may notice behavioral changes with your elderly loved one and a loss of interest in hobbies or games that he or she once enjoyed. Even asking your loved one how they enjoy their new home and the people around them can help you determine whether or not he or she is being abused.
If your elderly loved one is a victim of psychological abuse or other nursing home malpractice, you should not let this terrible treatment go unpunished. To fight back, contact a tenacious nursing home abuse lawyer. An attorney can help you build a case against the abusive nursing home employee who has caused your loved one undue harm.
The elderly deserve care and respect, but not all nursing home staff members provide this positive attention. Sometimes, things like stress, overwork, depression, and substance abuse can cause a caregiver to lash out and mistreat elderly residents. While physical abuse is certainly horrific, psychological abuse can be just as devastating, yet it is more difficult to detect.
Psychological abuse in nursing homes can take several forms, including:
- Verbal abuse - yelling, taunting, and putting down residents with cruel words
- Humiliation - forcing elder residents to endure degradation such as sitting in soiled clothing if they suffer from incontinence
- Isolation - giving residents the "silent treatment" by ignoring them or leaving them stuck in their rooms
Of course, one of the main things that you should look for when visiting your elderly loved one is signs of the relationship between your loved one and his or her caregiver. If the caregiver seems rude or brusque, they may be at risk for lashing out. If the resident seems to shrink away from the caregiver or seem uncomfortable around him or her, then this can indicate some type of abuse as well.
Sometimes, however, a caregiver can act perfectly kind and normal around residents when family members visit. Instead, you must carefully watch your elderly loved one for signs of abuse. Psychological abuse can cause Alzheimer's disease-like symptoms such as mumbling to oneself and rocking. Additionally, you may notice behavioral changes with your elderly loved one and a loss of interest in hobbies or games that he or she once enjoyed. Even asking your loved one how they enjoy their new home and the people around them can help you determine whether or not he or she is being abused.
If your elderly loved one is a victim of psychological abuse or other nursing home malpractice, you should not let this terrible treatment go unpunished. To fight back, contact a tenacious nursing home abuse lawyer. An attorney can help you build a case against the abusive nursing home employee who has caused your loved one undue harm.
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