Being able to talk to your elderly loved one and see how they live can give you vital clues about their mental and physical health.
One issue you may not think about at first is psychological abuse. Noticing the signs of nursing home abuse can seem confusing at first if you do not know what to look for.
Antisocial reactions
According to Psychology Today, how an older person acts in front of nursing home staff is important. If they do not participate in group activities or shy away from asking the staff questions, it could signal that emotional or psychological abuse happened.
Not getting enough social interaction can negatively affect an older person. Struggling with the fear that comes along with an abusive staff can also discourage them from reaching out and getting help.
Silence and frustration
Residents may have issues with the staff screaming at them or insulting them. These instances of abuse can lead to an uncommunicative resident who feels too nervous to express what they want, such as help with personal care or grooming.
Since older people often need more help with these tasks, an abusive staff means that they may struggle to stay healthy and safe while at a home.
Unusual emotional outbursts
When you talk with your loved one, you may notice that they seem angrier or more easily frustrated than before. This underlying distress can happen when they have to face abuse constantly from staff.
Staying alert about whether psychological abuse is happening with someone you love can help you with this common and worrisome problem.
