Marks visit to the nursing home has affected the way he sees other people by making him feel compassinate towards others by seeing the struggles and problums people face. It also helps him learn that helping others get through tough challanges will teach you more about yourself and others. The act of caring for another is so powerful because it creates deeper bonds as individuals lean on each other for emotional support. It also teaches important lessons such as patience, understanding and loyalty that benefit individuals and other people as well.
Another word for battered is often scarred, and it seems as though they have been through hardships from their dialogue and feelings, so I think the likely answer would be scarred.
