Los Angeles elder abuse is on the rise, and the statistics are as staggering as they are unconscionable. According to EADaily.com, more than 25% of all cases of elder abuse in California occur in Los Angeles County, representing approximately 160,000 cases each year. It's difficult to know the exact extent of Los Angeles elder abuse because it often goes unreported.
How do we save our seniors from being taken advantage of physically, emotionally, financially, or otherwise? How can we stamp-out Los Angeles elder abuse?
Signs of Los Angeles Elder Abuse:
Preventing elder abuse in Los Angeles begins with recognizing the many warning signs. In general, sudden changes in behavior and/or personality are common signs that a senior is being abused in some way. Elder abuse includes:
•Physical Abuse: The physical abuse of seniors, who are among the most defenseless among us, is far too common. However unfathomable it may seem to most of us, Los Angeles elder abuse occurs every day and has many symptoms. Physical abuse ranges from unexplained scars or bruises to sprains and even broken bones. But it also includes misusing prescription drugs (too much or too little), marks on wrists indicating the use of restraints, and other tell-tale signs of Los Angeles elder abuse.
•Emotional Abuse: Psychological abuse can be just as damaging as physical abuse. Emotional abuse can be both verbal and nonverbal. For instance, verbal elder abuse of a Los Angeles senior could include intimidation through constant threats and yelling to the use of humiliation and ridicule. Nonverbal emotional abuse can include ignoring basic needs and isolating him from family and friends.
•Financial Abuse: Another common Los Angeles elder abuse crime is taking advantage of an elderly person's condition to steal money. Since most seniors are on a fixed income, this type of abuse can be especially devastating. Signs include suspicious changes in insurance policies, wills, titles, and power of attorney, as well as large amounts of cash missing from the senior's bank accounts or home.
•Healthcare Fraud and Abuse: Medical identity theft and healthcare fraud are rampant in every part of the population, but the elderly are especially vulnerable. Regularly check explanation of benefits (EOB), annual statements from his health insurance company, and credit reports for any abnormal activity. Ensure the EOB includes the healthcare facilities he actually visited, the doctors who actually treated him, and the treatments he actually received. You can also prevent Los Angeles elder abuse by checking for inaccuracies in the insurance statements that show all of the benefits paid for the year.
•Sexual Abuse: This crime transcends age and gender. Signs of sexual elder abuse among Los Angeles seniors include bruises or bleeding around the genitals and bloody undergarments.
•Neglect: Another common type of Los Angeles elder abuse is neglect by caregivers. Neglect can be seen in the form of bedsores, weight loss, dehydration, being unbathed, improperly clothed, and even living in a home without heat or running water.
Contact Los Angeles Elder Abuse Attorney Steven C. Peck toll free at 1.866.999.9085 and online at www.premierlegal.org.
