After entering a nursing home, your loved one may begin to act differently. This kind of sudden change can make you worry that there is something worse going on when you are not there.
One sign of emotional neglect or abuse is depression in elderly residents. Since it is hard to tell sometimes whether or not a person is feeling depressed, paying close attention to their actions and words can help.
Lack of interest
According to the National Institute on Aging, your loved one may not seem interested in any activity that they usually feel excited about. You may notice a decline in how often they socialize or talk with other people, which can also happen when nursing home staff neglects them or ignores their needs.
They may even appear more fearful around the staff than usual. When feeling depressed, some elderly people may seem to give up on taking care of themselves entirely.
Increased anger or irritation
If you notice your typically kind loved one is suddenly expressing more irritation and frustration than usual, it could be a sign that they are struggling with a bigger issue. They could lash out at simple questions and appear overwhelmed when asked to share the source of this annoyance.
Mistreatment from nursing home staff can leave residents feeling upset but unable to articulate their emotions.
Bad sleep habits
If you notice your loved one continually shows signs of not getting a healthy amount of sleep, the issue could be depression. They may have trouble with falling asleep at night or sleeping for too long.
Restlessness can happen when your loved one does not feel safe or relaxed. Learning more about negligence in nursing homes can help you make a decision about what to do next.
