Tampa Emotional Abuse Attorney
Tampa Nursing Home Abuse Attorneys Serving Clients in Emotional Abuse Cases
Most people think about physical abuse when it comes to elder abuse, but another area of real concern is emotional abuse. In some cases, emotional abuse is not detected, let alone reported. Patients in nursing homes are often the targets for emotional abuse, and they can suffer long-lasting effects which can manifest into physical health problems too.
If you suspect a loved one is the victim of emotional abuse in a nursing home, you need to speak with a Tampa nursing home abuse attorney. At Kohn Law, we have experience helping patients who have been the victim or abuse or neglect in a nursing home, or other long-term care facility.
Signs of Potential Emotional Abuse
Even if you do not believe your loved ones are being emotionally abused in the nursing home, it’s important to familiarize yourself with the warning signs in case something does happen down the line. Victims of emotional abuse often show noticeable differences in their behavior. Some warning signs include:
- Depression
- Excessive crying or crying out of the blue
- Nervousness and/or anxiety
- Withdrawal from their nursing home environment
- Sudden changes in sleeping and/or eating habits
- Sudden mood changes
- Aggression and physical outburst
- Low self-esteem or lack of confidence
Any type of abuse is a serious problem that needs to be reported. It can impact the patient’s quality of life. No one, especially a vulnerable and elderly patient, should be subjected to abuse or neglect by the professionals who are entrusted to take care of them.
Types of Emotional Abuse Often Seen in Nursing Homes
Emotional abuse can be both verbal or nonverbal. Some behaviors include:
- Blaming or scapegoating the patient;
- Terrorizing the elderly person;
- Ridiculing or humiliating the patient;
- Ignoring the patient’s needs;
- Demeaning the patient;
- Intimidating or yelling at the patient;
- Behaving in a menacing matter; or
- Threatening the patient.
Diagnosing and Treating Emotional Abuse in a Nursing Home
If you suspect your loved one is being abused or neglected, you need to report this to Adult Protective Services or to the police. Once they are notified, they should assign a government-appointed caregiver who will evaluate the current situation and ask questions about how the patient is being treated on a daily basis.
If it is confirmed that some type of abuse has taken place, you must relocate them to somewhere they will feel safer. This can be to another nursing home facility, or keeping them in the family home using in-home caregivers. Emotional abuse victims need to see a counselor as well, typically chosen by the state. If the abuse was severe, the patient may require some medications to help them cope with the emotional distress.
Contacting a Florida Nursing Home Abuse Attorney
In addition to the aforementioned steps, it’s important to contact a skilled Florida nursing home abuse attorney. Your loved one is entitled to financial compensation for the injuries and pain and suffering they endured. At Kohn Law, we aggressively pursue nursing homes and long-term care facilities who exploit and abuse the very people they are paid to protect. Contact us at 813-428-8504 to schedule an initial consultation and let one of our experienced attorneys help you fight nursing home abuse.
