There are many different types of abuse that can occur in a nursing home and even mental abuse has the ability to have a toll on your loved one. This is because mental abuse can impact your loved one’s physical well-being as well.
For any family member who has a loved one in a nursing home facility, it’s crucial to recognize what signs to look out for that can indicate the presence of nursing home abuse. Before moving forward, be sure to look out for these signs and keep your elderly loved one safe.
Isolation
If your loved one is isolating him or herself when there are community events happening—such as staying in his or her room more often than not—it could be a troubling sign. They may be afraid to go out into an area where their abuser is and encounter more of the same problems.
Fear
You may notice that your loved one acts in a certain manner when you’re around, but once they see their abuser, they display fear or anxiety. This could be a red flag indicating a problem with the person who causes the behavior change. Ask your loved one why they react to the person in that way.
Refusal to Eat
Part of mental abuse may be demeaning comments from the abuser to the elderly. This can cause a lot of mental effects, one being the refusal to eat—especially if the comments made were in regard to the person’s weight. This can lead to malnutrition, which can be dangerous to the elderly individual’s health.
Depression
In many cases, mental abuse can lead to depression and your elderly loved one may not want to do anything—including accept your visit. If this is the case, you’ll want to ask about your loved one’s change in behavior and dive deeper into what’s going on.
At Spangenberg Shibley & Liber, we recognize the serious nature of mental abuse and stress the importance of reporting it. We work with you once you recognize the signs to help you understand your rights and how we can protect your loved one.
When it comes to protecting the rights of the elderly, our Cleveland nursing home abuse attorneys go the extra mile to advocate against a negligent facility. We’ll be your guide throughout the entire process, focusing on your best interests and pursuing justice at all stops.
Call us at (216) 600-0114 today to discuss your options.
