California Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer Blog
Do you have an elderly loved one in a Riverside County nursing home or elsewhere in Southern California? If so, it is critical to be able to recognize the signs of elder abuse and neglect in general, but especially psychological abuse. According to a recent study published in the journal Frontiers in Public Health, psychological abuse is routinely cited as the most common form of nursing home abuse, yet it is among the types of abuse that are most difficult to spot and that tends to be studied the least. Indeed, as the authors of the study write, “although psychological abuse has been found to be the most frequent form of abuse, specific knowledge regarding this form of violence is still lacking.”
How can you learn more about psychological abuse, and what specific signs should you be looking for when you visit or speak with an elderly loved one in a nursing home? Our Riverside County nursing home abuse attorneys can say more.
Psychological Abuse is Common, But Iit Can Be Difficult to Define and Identify
According to the recent study, psychological abuse (also sometimes described as emotional abuse) may be the most common type of abuse reported in nursing home settings, followed closely by passive neglect and physical abuse. It is particularly common among female nursing home residents who are aged 75 and older, and particularly among those nursing home residents who have mental disorders or are dealing with Alzheimer’s disease or another type of dementia.
Since psychological abuse does not produce physical signs or symptoms in the way that physical abuse or passive neglect might, it can be more difficult for family members to identify and to report. In addition, as the authors of the study suggest, the term itself — psychological abuse — is not narrowly defined and can mean many different things. It can involve intentional acts designed to embarrass, intimidate, or upset an elderly resident. In other words, given the broad nature of the term, the abuse can take many forms and have varying signs that can be hard to spot.
Identifying Psychological Abuse
It is critical for family and friends to be cognizant of any shifts or changes in an elderly nursing home resident that might signal psychological abuse. If any of the following signs, identified by the US Department of Justice, seem present or give you pause, you should seek help and report your concerns:
- Nursing home resident reporting behavior that may amount to psychological abuse, even if the resident has dementia or another cognitive impairment;
- Being upset without a clear reason or cause;
- Being agitated without a clear reason or cause;
- Becoming more withdrawn, even if the changes are minor;
- Becoming non-communicative or non-responsive;
- Exhibiting motor stereotypies such as thumb sucking, nail or lip biting, self-biting, or body rocking;
- Changes in sleeping habits;
- Changes in eating habits;
- Depression and/or anxiety;
- Any changes in personality; and
- Any unusual behavior.
Contact Our Riverside County Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect Lawyers for Help with Elder Psychological Abuse
Nobody who resides in a nursing home should ever have to experience any form of abuse or neglect, including psychological or emotional abuse. As we have discussed above, this type of abuse can be particularly devastating because it often goes unidentified and unreported, and it can have far-reaching effects on the elderly resident who is being subjected to it. If you have any concerns about an elderly loved one’s safety or mental health in a Southern California nursing home or assisted living facility, a Riverside County nursing home abuse and neglect lawyer at our firm can speak with you today. Contact the Walton Law Firm to find out more about how we can help.
See Related Blog Posts:
What are My Options for Reporting Nursing Home Abuse?
Malnutrition, Bed Sores, and Other Signs of Neglect in Orange County Nursing Homes
