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Is a loved one is being psychologically abused at a nursing home?

On Behalf of | Feb 8, 2022 | Injuries

The decision to entrust a stranger with your loved one’s care is never easy. However, when you decide to send your parent, sibling or friend to a nursing home, you trust that they will receive the best care available. After all, you are paying an arm and a leg for it.

Unfortunately, it is not uncommon for reports of nursing home abuse and injury to emerge. If your loved one is undergoing psychological abuse in a nursing home, it is important that you sue the facility for the abuse and the resulting damages. However, to file a successful nursing abuse lawsuit, you need to provide adequate evidence.

Exactly what is psychological abuse?

Unlike physical abuse, psychological abuse can be quite subtle to notice, more so when it is non-verbal. Most often, psychological abuse is inflicted alongside other forms of abuse. Psychological abuse can come in any of the following verbal forms:

  • Insults and ridicules
  • Threats and intimidation
  • Shouting or yelling
  • Making the victim feel distressed

Non-verbal forms of psychological abuse may include:

  • Giving the victim a silent treatment
  • Threatening to withhold some services such as food, medications and social activities from the victim
  • Isolating the victim from family and friends

Signs of psychological abuse in a nursing home

Psychological abuse, as already mentioned, can be difficult to detect at first. However, over time, the victim may start exhibiting the following signs of psychological abuse:

  • Sudden change in behavior such as withdrawal and agitation
  • Sudden withdrawal from family and favorite activities
  • A feeling of timidity and nervousness
  • Unusually erratic behavior that includes biting and sucking
  • Sudden loss of weight
  • Poor sleep patterns

Psychological abuse at the nursing home can leave your loved one traumatized. If you suspect that your loved one is experiencing psychological abuse at the hands of nursing home professionals, it is important that you explore your legal options.