Emotional Abuse

Many families entrust the care of their loved ones to trained staff members and caregivers in nursing home facilities. If you have, you expect them to receive the best care and have all their basic needs met.

You also want these staff members to treat your family members with dignity and respect. But what happens when those caregivers and other individuals turn out to be the ones tormenting your loved one?

Unfortunately, nursing home abuse is not uncommon. The World Health Organization estimates that 1 in 6 people have suffered some type of abuse in community settings during the past year.

Nursing home abuse can take many forms, including:

Residents are often subjected to several forms of abuse, including those that prey upon their emotions and mental health.

Common Forms of Emotional Abuse

According to the CDC, more than 1.3 million people live in nursing homes throughout the United States. Other research has suggested that around 10% of these residents experience some form of abuse.

Emotional abuse within nursing homes is a silent predator. It doesn’t leave physical marks, but it can affect the mental health of those in these living facilities. This type of abuse often lurks behind closed doors and is masked by seemingly routine interactions. Some of these forms of abuse may include:

Intimidation

This abuse represents a nefarious form of emotional abuse within residential settings. Whether from staff members or fellow residents, verbal confrontations, menacing gestures, or even implications of harm can instill a sense of fear in the nursing home residents.

Many individuals are left with feelings of anxiety or apprehension, with their safe living environment now turned into a physiological labyrinth. Over time, they may withdraw from social interactions with others.

These residents may experience higher stress levels, which can turn into physical and psychological symptoms. Frequent exposure to intimidation will affect many residents’ overall quality of life.

Ridicule

Belittling comments, mockery, and demeaning language are other types of emotional abuse in nursing homes. Often, these individuals may feel a lost sense of their self-worth. The perpetrators of these actions create an oppressive atmosphere within the residential setting.

This toxic dynamic contributes to a sense of insecurity and vulnerability in the targeted individuals.

With the increased insults, many residents will experience depression or anxiety as the attacks continue against them.

Guilt-Trips

These manipulative tactics are used within residential settings to control the behavior of residents.

Emotional abusers use guilt, such as playing on personal insecurities or fabricating scenarios, to create distress for residents. Affected individuals may feel trapped, burdened, and emotionally drained.

The constant threat of guilt and distress can undermine their ability to make independent decisions, leaving them with a sense of powerlessness. Once again, this type of emotional abuse can lead to a deterioration in the resident’s mental well-being.

Threats

Sometimes, staff members may threaten to withhold the basic needs of residents.

Often, these individuals will try to use these tactics to get the resident to comply. If they fail to do so, then the caregiver may try to deny the patient their basic needs, such as food, medication, clean clothes, or hygiene requirements.

This form of manipulation creates a power imbalance between the caregiver and the patient.

Residents who experience this form of abuse often endure feelings of unworthiness and loneliness.

Dismissiveness

Deliberately dismissing the presence of residents creates an atmosphere of isolation and exclusion.

The emotional impact often leads to feelings of rejection, frustration, and diminished self-worth for residents. Prolonged exposure to this form of abuse can have lasting effects on mental health.

As a result, that can cause heightened stress levels and a deterioration of emotional health.

Isolation from Other Residents

When staff members deliberately keep residents away from social circles and communal activities, that is a form of emotional abuse.

These individuals may spread rumors, manipulate social dynamics, or impose restrictions to create a sense of exclusion and loneliness for the targeted residents. Once again, this type of emotional abuse can cause feelings of vulnerability and emotional distress.

Who Can Commit Emotional Abuse in Nursing Homes?

This type of abuse can be perpetrated by a wide range of people, not just staff members or caregivers.

In a nursing home, your loved ones will come in contact with many individuals. Nurses, nursing assistants, and physicians often have the most contact with residents. Most of the incidents of abuse are tied to these healthcare professionals.

However, other employees may perpetuate the abuse, such as housekeeping, maintenance, or administrative personnel.

Let’s look at abuse from fellow residents. Unfortunately, when people live close quarters with one another, there are bound to be a few conflicts. However, it is the responsibility of the staff to prevent and rectify any situations of emotional abuse.

Some residents may try to exclude, intimate, or even ridicule other facility residents. In extreme situations, even family members and visitors can emotionally abuse a resident. These individuals may come to visit, but they can participate in actions that lead to emotional distress for their loved ones or other residents in the facility.

Why Does Emotional Abuse Occur?

No matter the reason, no one should have to suffer from emotional abuse in a nursing home.

However, there are a variety of factors that lead to these actions.

Sometimes, the staff members are overworked, putting strain on caregivers. On the other hand, these healthcare professionals may need more training to meet the residents’ needs.

Unfortunately, there are cases where the staff member lacks empathy and ignores the emotional needs of their patients.

Helping Victims of Emotional Abuse in Nursing Homes

Emotional abuse knows no boundaries; it can emerge from unexpected quarters. It is up to everyone to create safe and nurturing spaces for our nursing home residents.

If you suspect any emotional or other type of abuse, you will want to report it. You can reach out to hospital administrators, adult protective services, or even law enforcement. Legal options may also be available against those who acted negligently or recklessly.

Find out more about what you can do if you suspect nursing home abuse.

Your Guide to Nursing Home Abuse & Prevention