Psychological Abuse and How it Occurs in Nursing Homes

Psychological abuse is the humiliation or the intimidation of another person. This type of abuse usually occurs in relationships where power is not balanced.  This includes parent-child relationships or relationships between a doctor and a patient or a professional and a client.  In the context of nursing home abuse, psychological abuse takes place when a staff member intimidates or humiliates one or more of the nursing home’s residents.  Because nursing homes are often understaffed, supervision of staff members is often not at an acceptable level.  In addition, staff members are so busy supervising and caring for residents that they cannot always keep an eye on their coworkers.  This is a perfect environment for an abusive person who wants to abuse a resident psychologically.  Night shift staff members have more of an opportunity to commit this type of abuse because supervisors and administrators often work during the day, leaving only a skeleton staff on duty at night.  A Riverside nursing home abuse lawyer can help you determine if abuse has occurred and guide you should you choose to pursue legal action against the nursing home.