Verbal nursing home abuse is the use of words to cause harm, harass, or intimidate a nursing home resident. While name-calling is an easily recognizable form of verbal abuse, verbal nursing home abuse may take many forms, including shouting, insulting, intimidating, threatening, shaming, demeaning, or derogatory language, among other forms of communication. Intentionally not speaking to a resident and isolating him or her from friends and family are also forms of verbal nursing home abuse.
Perpetrators of nursing home verbal abuse misuse their authority, preying on nursing home patients and exploiting their subordinate position and vulnerability. Verbal nursing home abuse victims are led to believe that they are to blame for the abuser’s behavior and are consequently too reluctant or intimidated to report the abuse.
Sometimes, the victim is unable to speak up for themselves or defend themselves against the abuse. The harm caused by verbal nursing home abuse clearly induces stress, depression, and anxiety, but may also manifest in the form of physical ailments and other damage to residents who are already emotionally, mentally and physically fragile and compromised.
The signs of verbal nursing home abuse may not be as visible as physical abuse, but the effects can be just as debilitating. Friends, family, and nursing home visitors should be vigilant in watching for any signs or symptoms of mental abuse and, if verbal nursing home abuse is suspected or confirmed, consult with a nursing home abuse attorney immediately for prompt action on behalf of your loved one.
