It is typical for verbal abuse to get a backseat when compared to physical abuse, however, in a nursing home, it can prove to be extremely damaging. It can be a serious issue because the residents of nursing homes are fragile, both physically and emotionally, and depend on the attention of their caregivers for their physical and emotional wellbeing. Unfortunately, an increasing number of verbal abuse cases in nursing homes are being reported, and it is important to put a stop to this behavior if you see signs of your loved one in the nursing home being subject to verbal abuse.

Common Causes of Verbal Abuse in Nursing Homes

Taking care of the residents of a nursing home is a tough task for the staff; however, they are expected to take care of them in a professional and caring manner. On many occasions, the nursing home staff is prone to verbal abuse of their patients simply because they find their tasks very challenging as they are not trained properly to deal with patients with serious physical and psychological ailments like Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. Other compounding factors include low pay, extended hours of work, and constant pressure to perform. A high level of frustration and impatience can develop and express itself in verbal misbehavior. Understaffing due to high employee turnover also leads to new workers coming under pressure to perform without being able to learn the ropes while the old staff suffers from burnout.

Typical Signs of Verbal Abuse 

Some of the most typical symptoms of verbal abuse in nursing homes include changes in sleeping patterns and eating habits, no interest in socializing with other nursing home inmates, friends, and even family members, violent mood swings and tantrums, as well as a feeling of hopelessness and fear. They may refuse to make eye contact with you and also be reluctant to speak in the presence of the nursing home staff. Even if they may not be engaging in conversation with their visitors, they will beg them not to leave. Those suffering from dementia are the most likely victims of abuse, according to https://edition.cnn.com.

If you suspect that your loved one is being subject to verbal abuse, you must intervene immediately because the behavior can soon progress to physical abuse. For elderly residents, physical abuse can result in serious health problems and can even result in death.

What Can You Do to Stop Verbal Abuse in Nursing Homes?

If the verbal abuse does not stop even after you intervene, you can take the nursing home to court and sue them for compensation and damages. To tackle nursing home verbal abuse in Chicago, you should hire a personal injury law firm with experience in this domain. You can find a reliable attorney firm here you find:

Conclusion 

If you are convinced that the nursing home has a culture of verbal abuse and is unwilling to take corrective action even after you point it out, you need to immediately transfer your loved one to another more dependable facility. Thereafter, in case of a severe impact of verbal abuse on your loved one, you can consider filing a lawsuit for compensation and damages.