If you or your loved one chose to live in a nursing home or assisted living facility, you are placing their health and well-being in the hands of the staff and facility. Nursing homes can be wonderful options for adults who need assistance with daily needs, enjoy the opportunity for social activities, and want to live in a stimulating environment with recreational activities available. Unfortunately, not everyone has a good experience in nursing homes.
The sad reality is that abuse and neglect can occur in nursing homes. Emotional abuse is one form of mistreatment that affects thousands of elderly adults in the United States every year. This can be devastating for victims and can also lead to medical needs and financial stress. If your loved one was emotionally abused in a nursing home, you may be able to take legal action. Some victims can recover compensation for their suffering. a San Francisco emotional abuse lawyer on the team at Pintas & Mullins Law Firm is available to help. Call to speak with a team member today.
Examples of Emotional Abuse
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that there are over 15,000 nursing home or assisted living facilities in the United States, which are home to over 1 million residents. While the vast majority of these residents are treated fairly by the trained staff and caregivers, others are not as fortunate.
According to the National Council on Aging, as many as 5 million elderly adults are abused in some way each year. Additionally, this does not take into account cases of abuse that go unreported. Elderly adults can be more vulnerable to abuse for several reasons. Deteriorating physical and mental health, for example, might make them an easy target for perpetrators. Sometimes older adults may grow confused, making their claims of abuse less believable to those who receive reports.
The sad reality is that many adults are emotionally abused, and the effects can be detrimental to their long-term health. Emotional abuse is any verbal or non-verbal behavior that inflicts pain, anxiety, or emotional suffering on another individual.
Understanding what emotional abuse looks like can help you know when to report signs of abuse to authorities. This can help keep your loved ones safe and stop current abuse while preventing future emotional abuse of others. Some common examples of emotional abuse include:
- Name calling
- Screaming
- Taunting
- Threatening
- Purposefully ignoring requests or calls for help
- Harassment
- Neglect and isolation
- Excessive punishment
- Intimidation
- Lying or withholding information
While the forms of emotional abuse are broad, if you suspect your loved one is being mentally or emotionally harmed while living in a nursing home, you should seek immediate help. Report any suspicions immediately and be diligent about following up to ensure matters are dealt with accordingly.
It could also be beneficial to review some of the warning signs of emotional abuse. Sometimes emotional abuse occurs without family members noticing. Keeping an eye out for warning signs can help keep your loved one safe.
Warning Signs of Emotional Abuse
Some of the warning signs of emotional, verbal, and mental abuse include but are not limited to:
- Repeated complaining about a particular staff member, resident, visitor, or other person
- Loss of trust
- Sudden change of personality or social withdrawal
- Sleeping difficulties
- Depression and anxiety
- Feeling of guilt
- Loss of appetite
Many of the signs of emotional abuse can be internalized by victims, making it extremely important for others to pick up on the signs. Even if you only suspect that emotional abuse is occurring, reporting your concerns could help save your loved one or others from suffering.
For a free legal consultation with a Emotional Abuse Lawyer serving San Francisco, call (800) 794-0444
The Effects of Abuse on Victims
The effects of emotional abuse on victims can be life-changing in several ways. They can also last a very long time and lead to permanent emotional changes. Victims of emotional abuse often require ongoing therapy and medical treatment to deal with their psychological issues, which can lead to expensive medical bills and add stress to an already difficult situation.
Depression, anxiety, and loss of trust in others are both warning signs and effects of emotional abuse. Your loved one could also be suffering from a feeling of guilt, shame, and worthlessness. The effects of emotional abuse are complex and often specific to each individual and the circumstances surrounding their case. Severe forms of emotional abuse can lead to self-destructive behaviors that can affect physical health as well.
The best thing to do if you suspect your loved one is being emotionally abused in a nursing home is to seek immediate help. A medical professional can help assess your loved one and develop a treatment plan that is right for them. If you are also considering legal action against those responsible for the pain and suffering of someone you care about, a San Francisco emotional abuse lawyer with Pintas & Mullins Law Firm can help you learn more about your options.
San Francisco Emotional Abuse Lawyer Near Me (800) 794-0444
What You Can Do to Get Help
Dealing with the emotional abuse of a loved one is a painful process. While you are thinking about the suffering of someone dear to you, you may be left wondering what you can do to seek justice. Fortunately, you do have legal options. Victims of emotional abuse are sometimes eligible for compensation based on their particular case. Speaking with a San Francisco emotional abuse lawyer may help you determine the best course of action moving forward. A team member at Pintas & Mullins Law Firm is available to discuss your case in further detail. Call today so that you and your family can focus on your path to recovery.
Call or text (800) 794-0444 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
