About Elder Abuse

Elder abuse is a serious problem that can occur in a nursing home, hospital or even in the home.  It takes a variety of forms, including physical abuse, emotional abuse, financial abuse and sexual abuse.  As difficult as may be to believe, there are those that prey on the elderly and take advantage of their loneliness, diminished mental acuity and their general trust of their fellow human being.  There have been countless cases in which an elderly person has had all of their assets stolen by a person who is acting as a caregiver.  In nursing homes, the abuse often takes the form of neglect, and the elderly loved one may be malnourished, lacking decent hygiene or overmedicated.  When you suspect elder abuse, it is vital to act quickly as the loved one's life is at stake in such a situation. 

Elder Abuse and Claims

When you entrust the care of your loved one to a nursing home, you don't expect that they could be abused by the staff.  If you see any bruising, sores, signs of malnutrition, lack of hygiene or other indicator of neglect or abuse, you must take fast action.  This is usually only the tip of the iceberg, and when the nursing home is investigated, your loved one is not the only elderly person suffering from the abuse.  In cases in which a caregiver lives in the home, it is crucial to be alert to financial abuse, as the person's estate can be lost through the actions of a criminal.  In some cases, the abuse comes from a family member, which makes the situation even more tragic. 

Taking advantage of the elderly is becoming more common in recent years due to the large number of people in that age group in the current society.  It is always best to be extremely observant of the situation with your family member, and if abuse is suspected or confirmed, contact police and a personal injury lawyer at once to make a civil claim against the criminal agency, individual or nursing home.  Be alert and protect your loved one from elder abuse and watch carefully for any signs of overmedication, physical or other type of abuse.