Sometimes people just need to know it's not OK. Getting out the information about what may or may not be elder abuse is the mission of Steven Peck's California Elder Abuse law practice.. "We want seniors to be able to know what's going on and reach to help them," says Peck, the managing attorney.
As the Baby Boomer generation n those born between 1946 and 1964 reaches retirement age, the number of Americans over age 65 is expected to reach 71.5 million by 2030.
Elder citizens will suffer from abuse, neglect, abandonment or exploitation. Every case may not be a crime, but all states deem physical, sexual and financial abuse as criminal acts.
In most cases, people don't start out intending to take advantage of or abuse the older people they care for. Caring for frail elders is a difficult and stress-provoking task, especially when the older individual is mentally or physically impaired. More than two-thirds of the abusers are family members serving in a care giver role, according to information from the Web site www.elderabusecenter.org.
The potential for abuse increases when the elderly, especially those in poor health are not "in the right place for the care they need," says Peck. People don't want to lose their independence by giving up their homes, pets or the life style choices such as smoking or drinking that make caring for them more difficult. Self-neglect can be an issue for an elderly person who is incontinent or neglectful about eating or changing clothes.
The most prevalent form of exploitation of the elderly is financial says Steven Peck, a California Financial Abuse Attorney. Some examples include cashing an elderly person's checks without permission or forging his or her signature on property titles or transfers. Sometimes previously uninvolved relatives or a seemingly caring stranger appear.
Scammers from home repair salesmen to purveyors of reverse mortgages and Medicare Advantage prescription plans can be a big issue for the elderly. "Some abuse is opportunistic, like leaving the checkbook out, or skilled and conniving like the window salesman, seniors are very trusting, lonesome and want friends." says Peck.
