Nursing home residents expect that they will be cared for properly. They never think the staff members who are paid to care for them will mistreat them. Unfortunately, nursing home abuse and neglect are serious problems across the United States.
It’s easy to assume that all cases of abuse in nursing homes are physical, but that’s incorrect. Nursing home residents might be subjected to other forms of abuse, including psychological. It can be difficult to spot this type of abuse. Here are three signs that you may notice.
1. They’re isolated from others
Nursing home residents are usually social, especially in facilities that have a full activity calendar. When emotional abuse is occurring, the resident may become isolated from others. This may be due to the abuser trying to keep them away from others so they don’t say anything about the abuse.
2. They’re unusually quiet when you visit
Your loved one may be unusually quiet when you’re there. The abuser could be threatening them into not talking about what’s going on. They might even be hovering around so they can monitor what’s being said.
3. There are major changes in their behavior
It’s common for elderly individuals to go through some mood and behavior changes, but sudden massive changes are a sign of emotional abuse. A person who was always active and happy might suddenly become sullen and bedridden.
Taking action against nursing home abuse is your right if your loved one has been victimized in this way. Understanding your rights is crucial, so consider working with someone familiar with these situations.
