Nursing home residents count on the staff members to take care of them in the way they need. Each resident should have a personalized care plan that addresses their individual needs. Those residents shouldn’t ever feel as though they’re a burden on the people who are caring for them.
Unfortunately, nursing home staff members sometimes take their frustrations out on nursing home residents. That can lead to some residents having to deal with emotional abuse, which is always atrocious in nursing homes.
What does emotional abuse look like?
Emotional or psychological abuse involves staff members doing things that cause the resident to become distressed or fearful. According to a study published in the National Library of Medicine, emotional abuse can include isolating them from social interaction, yelling at the resident, mocking them or treating them like children. Even subtle actions, such as using a demeaning tone or ignoring requests, can have a significant impact over time.
Another form of emotional abuse can take place away from the nursing home. With the rise of social media and the common use of smartphones, nursing home staff members may become tempted to post humiliating videos or photos of residents, notes McKnight’s Long-Term Care News. Sometimes, they may share stories, which can also be emotionally abusive.
Residents who are harmed through emotional abuse may need intensive mental health treatment. It’s also possible that they may start to experience physical symptoms that also require medical care. These treatments can all be costly, and the resident may opt to pursue a compensation claim. It may help them to work with someone familiar with these matters.
