The act of stonewalling refers to when the staff of a nursing home refuses to cooperate, communicate or address the residents or their family members. It can be dangerous because it shows that staff are not providing adequate care or meeting residents’ needs. When staff stonewall the people they are responsible for, they ignore requests for medicine, complaints of pain or hunger and signs of illness. As a result, conditions can worsen, residents can starve and crucial diagnoses can be delayed.
This neglect can make residents more likely to fall ill or suffer from abuse at the hands of staff. Staff might also stonewall by denying residents the right to speak to family members, which makes them feel vulnerable, unheard or isolated. This leads to mental health issues like stress, anxiety and depression.
Signs of stonewalling
Because it is so dangerous, it is important to know what the signs of stonewalling look like. These behaviors typically appear in both the residents of nursing homes as well as the staff who work there. Changes in demeanor to keep an eye out for in residents include:
- Being fearful around the staff
- Changing the subject when asked about their feelings
- Inability to communicate
- Difficulty making eye contact
- Sudden social withdrawal
- Increased stress and anxiety
However, knowing how to recognize the signs of stonewalling in the residents of a nursing home is insufficient. It is also important to observe the staff who work there closely. Be extra cautious if administration and staff show the following behaviors:
- Being evasive with or refusing to answer questions
- Shutting down attempts at communication
- Being dismissive and deliberately ignoring residents and their family members
- Not knowing the needs and wants of residents
- Being uncooperative and defensive
- Being quick to blame residents or family members
It can be difficult to identify the signs of stonewalling if you are not familiar with what it looks like. Because they are so easy to hide, many people consult their attorneys for guidance when it comes to spotting signs of elder abuse in nursing homes.
Seeking legal guidance
Consulting a legal professional makes it easier to understand the laws that concern assisted living facilities. Understanding one’s rights is important to single out signs of neglect, abuse and other unlawful activity in nursing homes.