Hi Erica, I absolutely agree, that the incident you described above is emotional abuse. I've worked three years in a nursing home and have witnessed verbal, physical abuse and neglect. As charge nurse, I was responsible for giving verbal and written warning about verbal abuse. The physical abuse cases were turned over to the nursing director. Some of the nursing assistants and LPN felt they didn't have to respect the confused patients. Mistreatment of the elderly went unreported on the daily bases. I worked the night shift, I would consistently find patients lying in urine, not turned every two hours and medications not given as ordered. I consider these acts neglect and abuse. As you mention, all patients should be treated with respect
