Verbal Abuse of the Elderly

Serving Phoenix, Scottsdale and All of Arizona

Federal law states that nursing home residents have the right to be free from verbal, psychological, and other types of mental abuse. Verbal abuse involves the intentional use of manipulative, derogatory, fear-inducing, or otherwise distressing verbal acts in order to harm the emotional well-being of a resident.

By definition, verbal abuse does not involve any type of physical contact, but the effects of verbal abuse can be just as serious, if not more devastating than physical abuse. Unfortunately,  cases of verbal abuse may not be reported. If you or a loved one has endured verbal abuse from nursing home employees, you should consult with an experienced nursing home abuse attorney right away to ensure that your rights are being protected.

Common forms of Verbal Abuse in Nursing Homes

Verbal and mental abuse can take many forms, some very obvious and others very subtle. What may start out as harmless joking or teasing can eventually lead to full-blown abuse. Here are some examples:

• Degradation – The use of sarcasm, insults, and other types of name-calling is very common in nursing homes. Nursing home employees often resort to these forms of verbal abuse when they become overwhelmed with the stress of their job.
• Manipulation – This often subtle form of abuse occurs when a nursing home employee influences a resident to do something or act a certain way that is for the nursing home employee’s benefit. Caregivers often exploit their resident’s dependence on them in order to get what they want.
• Threats – Verbal or non-verbal, threats of physical violence or threatening to restrict a resident’s diet, social activities, or other rights and privileges are also very common. Residents who do not behave in the way their caregiver wishes often become victims of this form of verbal abuse.
• Non-verbal – Nursing home employees may give the "cold shoulder" or the “silent treatment” in order to punish or intimidate a resident.  

If you or a loved one reside in a nursing home in Arizona and have experienced verbal abuse, please contact the experienced nursing home abuse and neglect attorneys at Cullan & Cullan, M.D., J.D. today to schedule your confidential, no-cost consultation.