Emotional Abuse

Emotional abuse is when someone causes anguish, pain or distress to another person by what they say or do.  Emotional abuse includes:

• Insults.
• Threats.
• Intimidation.
• Harassment.
• Yelling or screaming.
• Treating an elderly person like an infant.
• Constant criticism.
• Refusing to listen to someone.
• Giving someone the “silent treatment.”
• Humiliation, such as laughing when an elderly client wets their bed.
• Keeping someone away from family, friends or the community.

Know the signs!  Watch for and report clients who:

• Seem to be afraid of certain caregivers or family members.
• Are yelled at by family members or caregivers.
• Are made fun of by family members or caregivers.
• Are suddenly very agitated.
• Are suddenly confused or are more confused than usual.
• Talk about being worthless.
• Cry all the time.
• Never seem to get enough sleep.
• Have a sudden change in appetite.
• Have big changes in their weight (either up or down).
• Seem very quiet or just stop talking suddenly.
• Talk about being helpless.
• Seem scared to talk to you about their lives or their health.
• Are angry all the time.