California Elder Law Attorney Blog

Elder abuse is described by the following acts among family and members of the household, any nursing home staff or any individual.

- When somebody attempts or causes physical injury to an elder
- When the family member or staff of a nursing home try to or is trying to place an elder in terror or alarm of physical harm by torment, threat or harassment
- When one is convincing or persuading an elder by strength or intimidation to participate in a certain act from which the elder has the right to withhold
- When one meaningfully confines the movements of an elder without his consent
- Threatening the elder to a crime of violence

1. Detecting Abuse:

- Burn markings from cigarette
- Black eye, lacerations, bruises or cuts that can not be explained
- Rope marks, a sign that the elder had been tied or slashed upon
- Hair loss, a sign that the elder's hair was pulled
- Bodily sores and wounds
- Fingernails that are broken
- The elder's skin is very poor condition
- Fractures of the bone
- Bite marks
- Eye glasses are broken
- Laboratory results are positive of drug overdose
- The elder displays a sudden change of behavior
- The care giver refuses to allow visitors to see the elder

2. Signs Of Neglect:

- Sores are untreated
- Displays significant signs of malnutrition
- May show signs of insanity
- Lack of personal hygiene care

3. Signs Of Emotional Abuse:

- May display a nervous behavior
- Constantly be disturbed or upset
- Displays a negative attitude
- Always in anxiety
- Demonstrate signs of insecurity, such as constant sucking or biting of the fingers

4. Financial Abuse:

- Unknown withdrawal from the elder's account
- Unusual ATM withdrawals and switching of accounts
- The elder tend to withdraw money often
- The elder does not receive his pension or Social Security check from the mail
- The elder, without any valid reason, revises his will and changes his beneficiary
- The elder unexplainably signs contracts that results to unwanted financial commitment
- Signature was forged
- The elder has plenty of unpaid bill, despite his assets that can very well cover the bill
- Strange credit card charges

5. Signs Of Sexual Abuse

- Mysterious and unexplained genital infection
- Anal or vaginal bleeding that can not be explained
- Ripped underwear
- The elder may tell someone that she has been sexually abused
- Genitals are bruised
- The elder may report that her care giver is showing her pornographic materials
- The report of the elder that she is forced to touch someone's genitals, observe sexual acts, tell dirty stories and pose nude for a picture

6. How Can You Prevent Abuse To Yourself As An Elder?

- Keep and continue contacts with friends and neighbors
- Work out on a buddy system with other elders in the home
- Be active socially, do not be in isolation
- Protest and speak up if you are not happy or contented with the way your caregiver or other family member treats you. Tell somebody
- Request your friends and other relatives to visit you often
- Open your mail personally
- Never sign anything unless it was reviewed by someone that you trust
- Always review your will once in a while
- Coordinate so that your pension or Social Security check be deposited directly to your bank account than being sent by mail

7. How Can You Prevent Abuse To Others?

- Pay attention. Be wary and look out for signals that might point towards abuse
- Call your loved one as frequently as possible
- Visit your loved one often and make certain that she is well taken cared of
- Always be open to your loved one, taking the time to always talk to her and assure her that you are there to help and can be trusted
- Get permission to periodically look into your loved one's bank accounts as well as credit card statements for unauthorized withdrawals or transactions

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