According to the National Center on Elder Abuse, elder abuse can take many forms.
•Physical abuse: using physical force to injure or threaten a vulnerable senior.
•Emotional abuse: verbal assaults, threats, emotional isolation or rejection, demeaning acts or statements causing mental anguish or distress to an elder.
•Sexual abuse: sexual contact with a vulnerable senior, including those unable to grant consent. The contact can be the result of force, deception, threats or other coercion.
•Financial exploitation: includes theft and fraud, the misuse of authority, exploiting undue influence over a vulnerable person in order to gain control of the elder's money or property.
•Neglect: the failure or refusal of a caregiver to provide for a vulnerable senior's physical needs, emotional needs or safety.
•Abandonment: the desertion by a caregiver of a frail or otherwise vulnerable elder.
•Self-neglect: when a senior is unable to understand the consequences of their own actions or inaction, which can or does lead to endangerment or harm.
Elder Abuse in Nursing Homes
In too many cases, elder abuse takes place in nursing homes. The National Center on Elder Abuse estimates at least one in 20 nursing home residents has been victimized by abuse or neglect.
According to the best research on the topic, elder abuse is widespread. An estimated one to two million Americans aged 65 years or older has been injured, exploited or otherwise harmed by someone they counted on for care or safety.
Contact Steven Peck's Premier Legal to talk to an experienced California Elder Abuse and Neglect Attorney toll free at 1.866.999.9085 and visit us on-line at www.premierlegal.org.
