Horrific Examples of Emotional Abuse That Occurs in Nursing Homes

 Posted on December 30, 2019 in Nursing Home Abuse

Nursing home neglect and abuse are sadly common in many nursing homes across the United States. Nursing homes are often badly understaffed or employ staff members who have not been properly trained for their job duties. Even worse, some nursing home staff intentionally take their frustrations out on residents. Many of these residents have physical and mental health problems that leave them unable to stand up for themselves. Residents instead must depend on concerned loved ones to advocate on their behalf.

Threatening or Intentionally Scaring Residents

Alzheimer’s Disease, dementia, and other illness that affect an individual’s ability to understand what is going on around them are prevalent in nursing homes. Unfortunately, these illnesses can turn a mild mannered, sweet grandmother or grandfather into someone who is hostile or downright mean. Properly trained staff members should know that when a resident with mental decline is rude or uncooperative, it is the illness speaking and such behavior is not reflective of the resident’s true nature. However, some nursing home workers instead respond combatively to residents who are simply afraid or confused. Threatening, intimidating, or yelling at a nursing home resident is just one example of unacceptable nursing home abuse.  

Ridiculing or Mocking a Resident

Nursing home residents are some of the most vulnerable people in our society. Sadly, some nursing home staff use this as an opportunity to bully residents instead of offering the compassionate care they should. In December 2018, a Snapchat video surfaced that showed Illinois nursing home workers mocking a 91 year-old nursing home resident who suffers from dementia. The two staff members were arrested and a lawsuit was brought against the facility for violating both the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and the Illinois Nursing Home Care Act. Signs that a loved one is being emotionally abused can include significant changes in the resident’s demeanor, childlike behaviors such as thumb sucking or rocking back and forth, and staff members refusing to let you be alone with your loved one.

Contact an Orland Park Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer

If you have reason to believe that your loved one is being emotionally, verbally, or mentally abused in a nursing home, do not hesitate to voice your concerns and move your loved one to safety. For help bringing a personal injury claim on behalf of a mistreated loved one, contact Schwartz Injury Law. Schedule a confidential consultation with an Illinois nursing home abuse attorney by calling 312-535-4625 today.

Sources:

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/nursing-home-staffers-lawsuit-nursing-home-workers-accused-of-taunting-91-year-old-woman-with-dementia-in-snapchat/

http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/ilcs5.asp?ActID=1225