Abuse and neglect in nursing homes are, unfortunately, more common than many people think. It is a huge cause of distress in older people, leading to mental and physical pain, anguish, fear and distress.
If you have a loved one who is residing in a nursing home, it is important that you are always on high alert for spotting signs of abuse and neglect so that you are able to protect them from further harm. The following article focuses specifically on spotting the signs of nursing home emotional abuse.
Your loved one may have unexplained emotions
Everyone has negative emotions from time to time, whether that’s feeling sad, upset or demotivated. However, these emotions tend to have a distinct cause. If your loved one is frequently getting worried, anxious or distressed without any good reason, you may want to consider whether something is going on behind the scenes.
They lose interest in their favorite activities
If your loved one has lost interest in hobbies and passions such as reading, watching TV, knitting, crafting or painting, you should inquire as to why this is the case. If your loved one has dementia or a similar illness, there may be a reasonable explanation. However, this could also be a sign that they are being emotionally abused or bullied.
They exhibit new soothing behaviors
Self-soothing is also a common trait of those with cognitive medical conditions, but it could also be a sign of emotional abuse. For example, they may rub themselves, rock themselves or mumble to themselves.
Reports of abuse
You should take seriously any report of abuse. Make sure that you ask the right people and that you never directly accuse, but simply act reasonably to get answers.
It can be difficult to distinguish the signs of emotional abuse from the symptoms of dementia. However, if you believe that you have a reason to suspect abuse, you can take legal action against the nursing home.
