Many people are aware of the blatant atrocities that can happen in nursing homes and even in the home with caregivers, but one form of abuse that's not as obvious but equally deplorable is elder psychological abuse. Psychological abuse may be difficult to discover, so it's important to understand exactly what it entails and what the signs of it are. You've heard it said before: words hurt, and although they may not show physical scarring, the emotional damage it causes, especially to the elderly, can take a drastic toll on even their physical wellbeing.

Psychological abuse is also sometimes known as mental or emotional abuse. Caregivers may become frustrated in dealing with the elderly, and speak to them harshly thinking that there is nothing wrong with it because there is no evidence to come back and get them in trouble for it. However, speaking to an elder in an emotionally disturbing way can lead to psychological pain and suffering. Some types of verbal abuse include intimidation, ridicule or humiliation, or blaming. If you witness these types of abuse, they are no little matter. Caregiver's jobs are exactly that: to provide care and comfort to the elderly that they are serving. If you witness an elderly person being treated this way, it is important that you alert someone immediately.

Another form of abuse that can cause emotional distress is nonverbal psychological abuse. It is important to remember that the elderly are in a home by themselves, often separated from friends and family and they need companionship and someone to simply speak or sit with them. When caregivers purposefully ignore their elderly patients, it is a form of abuse that can negatively affect their wellbeing. Nonverbal abuse may look like simply ignoring the elderly. They may be isolated purposefully from their friends and available activities. Whatever the case, if an elderly person is being ignored it is cause for concern. They are in a nursing home to be cared for, not to be placed in a corner.

Senior citizens may also face emotional threats. An elderly person is emotionally threatened when they are purposefully put into a position where they have no freedom to speak out. A senior citizen, for example, will be denied the right to report signs of elder abuse if a nursing home worker threatens to cause him or her harm if they do so. It is easy for a senior citizen to give up their attempt to stop abuse because they are outmatched and at a physical disadvantage. If there is even a hint of evidence that emotional threats may be going on in a nursing home, it should be reported as soon as possible.

If no one was around to witness the psychological abuse, it may be hard to identify. With a careful eye though, it is possible to spot warning signs. If you notice an elderly person in a state of depression and are unwilling to speak as to why, this may be a sign that emotional abuse has been going on. Senior citizens are prone to depression for a number of different reasons, but regardless, it is something that should at least be looked into. An elderly person may also display spouts of unprovoked anger and outbursts which can be another indicator. They may possibly seem confused or panicked frequently, and it is best to ask them as to why. Many senior citizens are facing memory loss, but this is no excuse to ignore the stories they may be telling. If they mention anything about an abusive caregiver, contact an authority immediately, because psychological abuse is no less dangerous than physical abuse.