How to Spot Elder Abuse

If a friend or a loved one is a resident at a California nursing facility, it is important to learn all the signs of elder abuse so that they can be stopped immediately. Because any type of abuse can cause extensive damage both physically and mentally, knowing the signs of abuse can be beneficial and can provide both you and the resident with peace of mind knowing that they will be protected.

Elder abuse does not always apply to elderly individuals; an elder can be categorized as:

• Anyone over the age of 65
• A dependent adult who is between the ages of 16 and 64 who has physical or mental limitations
• Any person who is between 18 and 64 who has been admitted to a 24-hour facility such as psychiatric hospitals, acute-care hospitals or even a chemical dependency recovery hospital

Signs of elder abuse may or may not be visible, can occur virtually anywhere and include physical, verbal, emotional, sexual and neglect. Nursing homes and facilities have a legal obligation to protect their residents and offer them exceptional care. Some signs of elder abuse include, but are not limited to:

Physical/Sexual Abuse:

• Unexplained injuries
• Bruises, welts
• Open wounds, cuts, bedsores
• Sexual battery/assault
• Torn or bloody underwear

Emotional/Verbal Abuse:

• Withdrawn, non-communicative
• Emotionally upset, agitated
• Humiliates, insults, ignores family members
• Afraid of multiple or specific caretaker
• Wants to be isolated from others
• Exhibits unusual sucking, biting, rocking behavior

Neglect Abuse:

• Unsanitary, unclean living conditions
• No assistance with personal hygiene
• Limited access to food, clothing, medical services
• Dehydrated or malnourished
• Lack of care for existing medical conditions

If you have discovered elder abuse, contact a knowledgeable and qualified California Elder Abuse Attorney immediately. We will assist you in all aspects of the case, provide you with legal advice and will make sure that the victim is compensated for the pain and suffering that they have endured.