Being an older American or senior citizen has lots of benefits. The store and restaurant discounts are wonderful, along with the special parking spaces.
Of course, aging does have some disadvantages as we all know. Physical and mental health issues, along with financial concerns, often weigh heavily on the minds of older Americans.
There is another concern that no one wants to talk about: elder abuse.
Abuse isn't always something you can see. Elder abuse can include physical, emotional, sexual, financial, neglect and self-neglect. Some families or couples are able to keep abuse a total secret says California Elder Abuse Attorney Steven C. Peck.
In today's economic situation, financial abuse is on the increase. Examples include a widowed mother who has to rely on a child for help, and may be threatened by that child, saying if she doesn't hand over money the child will no longer help her. An adult child, unemployed or with a drug or alcoholic habit, can manipulate elder parents to "put me on your account so I can do your banking" and then withdraws money without the parents' knowledge.
An elder can be abused by a family member, including a spouse, or by a caregiver. And elder abuse can happen to men and women.
If you think an elder is being abused please talk with them, be supportive and ask them to contact Steven Peck's Premier Legal toll free at 1.866.999.9085 or on-line at www.premierlegal.org.
