A California Elder Care Attorney Talks About Elder Abuse

Every year more than one million seniors are victims of physical, psychological, financial, or other forms of abuse. Unfortunately, however, this may be significantly higher, as only one in every five cases is reported to authorities. Hardly a day passes without a news article reporting abuse to a senior citizen, sometimes resulting in injury or even death.

There are many misconceptions about elder abuse: that is just happens in nursing homes; or to elderly persons who live alone and don't have visitors; or that perpetrators of abuse are mostly strangers. All of these misconceptions are just that: myths.

Elder abuse happens in our communities, to seniors living in their own homes, and typically at the hands of family members or friends. These cases are often shocking and unbelievable, yet they are on the increase as the Baby Boomer Generation ages out. A California elder abuse attorney can be a valuable resource in helping you sort out this complex and disturbing problem that affects all levels of our societies and cultures.

Most incidents of elder abuse don't happen in a nursing home. Only about 4% of our elders reside in skilled nursing facilities. Reports of abuse or neglect are investigated by the Nursing Home Ombudsman program in California.

Abuse at home is most often at the hands of a family members, friend, or paid caregiver, and can be difficult to discern or very subtle. An experienced California elder abuse lawyer can help you sort out these concerns if a loved one may be an abuse victim.

It isn't just infirm or mentally ill elders who are vulnerable. Seniors who are ill, frail, disabled, or depressed may be at significant risk of abuse or neglect at the hands of others.

Financial abuse has become an epidemic; elders in increasing numbers are losing their assets, incomes, even their homes, to artful and designing con artists, acquaintances, and family members.

A California elder care or elder abuse attorney can help you sort through the often distressing and confusing maze of elder abuse, neglect, and financial exploitation. Here are some guidelines for recognizing possible abuse:

Physical: Bruises or grip marks on arms or neck; welts on wrists or ankles; bruises under arms, behind legs, or other parts of the bodies that cannot be explained by a fall or bump against furniture

Emotional/Psychological: Uncommunicative, unresponsive, suddenly or unreasonable fearful or suspicious; lack of interest in social contacts; chronic physical or emotional complaints; evasive to questions about health or well-being

Sexual abuse: Unexplained vaginal or anal bleeding; torn or bloody underwear; bruised breasts; venereal diseases or vaginal infections

Financial Abuse or Exploitation: Life circumstances don't match the size of the estate; large withdrawals from bank accounts, unusual ATM activity, bounced checks; check signatures don't match the elder's handwriting; co-signers being added to bank accounts; sudden or unusual large or expensive purchases

Neglect: Sunken eyes, loss of weight, extreme thirst, bed sores, brittle skin

Unsure how to proceed? Check with a California elder care attorney. Call the Wallin Law Firm