Southern California Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer Blog
Nursing home abuse and neglect in Los Angeles County and throughout Southern California can take various forms. Sometimes, nursing abuse is more obvious, with residents actively reporting abuse themselves or showing signs of bruising and restraint marks. At the same time, signs of abuse or neglect can often be subtle, and the signs are not always physical. Indeed, when an older adult is the target of emotional or psychological abuse, there are not necessarily physical changes or signs — at least not immediately — that you may be able to recognize. Instead, you may need to look for more elusive indicators of abuse. Our Los Angeles County nursing home abuse lawyer can explain in more detail.
Emotional and Psychological Abuse Can Take Different Forms
You may know that there are different types of elder abuse: physical abuse, emotional abuse, sexual abuse, and passive neglect, to name the most common kinds. Yet within each of those categories of abuse, there are specific forms that the abuse can take.
According to the Cleveland Clinic, the following are some of the common ways in which emotional abuse can manifest in a nursing home setting:
- Name-calling;
- Verbal threats of harm;
- Verbal threats of abandonment;
- Constant yet seemingly minor criticisms;
- Passive-aggressive behavior;
- Blaming a resident for their needs;
- Attempting to embarrass the resident;
- Violating the resident’s privacy;
- Attempting to isolate the resident from friends or family members;
- Infantilizing the resident; and
- Manipulating the resident in other ways.
Emotional abuse is generally an intentional act that can often be a way of creating an unequal power dynamic between the abuser and the nursing home resident.
Varying Signs of Emotional Abuse in Nursing Homes
Nursing home residents who are targets of emotional or psychological abuse may be scared to report what is happening to them out of concern that the abuse will worsen. As such, it is often up to friends, family members, and health care providers to spot signs. What should you be looking for when you visit an elderly loved one in a nursing home if you want to spot common signs of emotional abuse? The Cleveland Clinic cites the following as frequent red flags that emotional or psychological abuse may be occurring:
- Resident showing signs of self-neglect;
- Signs of agitation;
- Extreme emotional reactions;
- Any odd behaviors that may include sucking behaviors, biting behaviors, or rocking;
- Changes in sleep patterns;
- Changes in eating habits;
- Signs of any changes in personality;
- Notable withdrawal, including a lack of interest in former activities or social encounters.
Contact Our Los Angeles County Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect Lawyers Today for Help
Do you have concerns about an elderly loved one’s emotional or psychological health? Signs of emotional abuse can be subtle, and they are often difficult to identify with certainty if your loved one does not voice their own concern or complaint about a particular staff member. Yet emotional abuse can be among the most devastating forms of abuse in nursing homes because it can have lasting effects and can harm both the psychological and physical well-being of your loved one. One of the experienced Los Angeles County nursing home and neglect attorneys at our firm can speak with you today to discuss any concerns you have and to talk about the possibility of holding the nursing home accountable. Contact the Walton Law Firm for more information about how we can help you, your elderly loved one, and your family members.
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