California Elder Law Attorney Blog

The United States estimates that over 1.5 million senior citizens are abused, mistreated or victimized by family members, friends, caregivers or others they may come in contact with each year. Although those with physical or mental disabilities are more vulnerable, any elderly person is at potential risk.

From physical or emotional abuse to financial mismanagement or neglect, elder abuse comes in many different guises. The common result leaves the victim feeling worthless, alone or guilty.

Physical abuse (i.e., hitting, biting, pushing or other forced contact) can be considered the most extreme form of mistreatment. Elders who are victims of this kind of abusive behavior experience depression or sudden mood swings. Their physical appearance may be an indication of an abusive situation. An abused senior may have unexplained cuts, bruises, fractures or burn marks on his or her body. There are other forms of physical abuse. These are not so easily noticed. A caregiver might be over or under-medicating a senior, for example, or forcibly confining him or her to a single area indicates California Elder Law Lawyer Steven C. Peck.

One does not need to have physical contact with a senior in order to abuse them. Emotional, mental or psychological abuse occurs when the senior is ridiculed, threatened, humiliated or treated in a demeaning manner. Even the malicious destruction of an elder's belongings can be considered a form of emotional abuse says Los Angeles Edler Abuse Attorney Peck.

Although not as easily noticeable as physical abuse, emotional mistreatment can still be detected. The senior may appear upset, nervous or agitated. They may be hesitant or afraid to talk to others regarding the abuse they are experiencing.

One case comes to mind where a disadvantaged elder was constantly ridiculed, called names, and had her door pounded on constantly by a neighbor and the neighbor's children in a small four plex apartment building" recalls Steven C. Peck. "Although the elder was somewhat impaired, she understood how she was being treated."Eventually, the matter was settled for a substantial settlement for emotional abuse.

Financial abuse occurs when a caregiver, guardian or power of attorney steals, mismanages funds or sells personal property of an elder without his or her consent. Lying about the costs of certain needs of the elder is also considered a form of financial abuse.

The abused senior may request large sums of money to be given to the abuser. Other indications that someone is taking financial advantage of an elder may include a significant number of unpaid bills, money or items that are unaccounted for or abrupt changes in the elder's will, power of attorney and / or trust documents.

Neglect can be considered the most common form of abuse. When an abuser withholds food, medical support or any other care which a reasonable person would need, he or she is neglecting the senior.

Untreated bed sores, malnutrition, dehydration and unsanitary living conditions are only a few indications of neglect.

There are preventive measures that can be taken to avoid a potentially abusive situation. The elder should not be placed in the care of anyone who has a history of abuse. The elder should review his or her will, making sure any changes are truly what they want. Friends, family members and neighbors should visit the senior often to insure that abuse is not occurring. Most importantly, the elder should be reminded not to sign anything until someone else who he or she trusts has seen it states California Nursing Home and Abuse Attorney Steven C. Peck.

A person should be educated on signs and symptoms of abuse. If stress is realized early on, a potential abuser can be helped before any adverse effects occur. Talk with friends and family members and offer to help caregivers in order to prevent burnout before it is to late.