Nursing home abuse happens when caregivers cause intentional or unintentional harm to residents living in long-term facilities.
If your loved one lives in a nursing home or assisted living facility, you may frequently check for indicators of physical abuse like bumps, bruises and bedsores, but what about the things you cannot see?
Recognizing signs of elderly emotional abuse
Emotional abuse is common in elder care facilities, and the following staff behaviors indicate major problems:
- Yelling at or taunting residents
- Shaming residents privately or in front of others
- Isolating residents from family and friends
- Threatening residents with physical harm
- Ignoring residents’ requests and concerns
- Impeding residents’ mobility by removing equipment such as canes, wheelchairs or walkers
Your beloved family member may not be able to express or explain the issues they face when interacting with caregivers. Therefore, it is extremely important for you to get involved with their care and remain alert to signs of emotional abuse.
Preventing nursing home elder abuse
So many cases of abuse and neglect go undetected because family members do not check in regularly. To make sure your loved one is safe and comfortable in their living situation, you can prioritize regular calls and visits. You can proactively look for signs that the elderly residents are having difficulties with certain caregivers. You can vocalize your concerns to staff and management, and you can prepare to move your loved one to a new facility if needed.
No one can love your family member as you do. However, your relative deserves excellent care, and you deserve to feel peace around the decision to seek nursing home care. While staff members are professionals with specialized training, it is important for you to reinforce high standards and hold nursing homes accountable for bad behavior that negatively affects the mental and emotional health of residents.