Elder abuse is not that hard to spot. You just need to know the signs and symptoms an abused will exhibit. Here, Ehline Law’s elder abuse attorney, Mike Ehline will address some of the most common signs and what to do when spotted.
Table of Contents:
There are some common signs of abuse, know what they are:
- Physical Abuse: Physical abuse can include things like bed sores, poor hygiene, weight loss, and malnutrition. Most of all, this includes dehydration. There can be frequent falls, unexplained signs of injury like bruises. Also, broken bones, sprains, dislocations, and welts are common. Some of these injuries might appear on two sides symmetrically. Other signs of physical abuse can result in broken glasses or frames. Sometimes there is a refusal of caregivers to allow the family to see the elder alone. Worse, there can be signs of being restrained; like marks on the wrists.
- Soiled bedding: dirt, bugs, and soiled clothing. This is also clothing not appropriate for the weather. So this is all elder abuse. Also, leaving a person dirty or unbathed is a sign. Unsafe living conditions are in the formula. So no heat, running water or faulty electrical wiring and other fire hazards are abusive.
- Deserting a senior person at an elderly place is also elder abuse.
- Emotional Abuse: Emotional abuse can cause the elderly person to become fearful, depressed and withdrawn. This can be a controlling caregiver. But it could be belittling. Also, the behavior you might witness can mimic dementia, like mumbling to oneself. You may also see sucking, rocking and other signs.
- Financial Abuse: Financial abuse can be significant withdrawals from the elder’s account. Doctors could use duplicate billing for medical service. So they use the same procedure and bill for different things. Often, items become missing from the elder’s possession. So staff will steal. It is appalling. There can also be changes in power of attorney, wills, policies and titles. Also, additional names can get added to the elderly person’s signature card.
- Neglect: This is when there is a failure of a person or persons in the position of caring or custody of an older adult, disabled or dependent adult to care for them in a reasonable manner that the senior or dependent adult should expect. So this can be a failure to assist with day to day living activities, personal hygiene, bathing, grooming, toileting, providing of food or clothing. Neglect can also include failure to provide shelter, protection from safety and health hazards, medical care that meets physical and mental needs, and prevention of malnourishment or dehydration.
- Abduction: This is the removal of an elderly, disabled or dependent person from California. It also means the prevention of them returning to California without their consent. But it could also be due to lack of consent of any conservatee of the conservator or the court.
- Abandonment: Abandonment is the willful forsaking or desertion of an elderly, disabled or dependent adult by persons entrusted with the custody of the individual. These are defendants who would provide reasonable care and custody.
- Isolation: This is the act of intentionally preventing a senior, disabled or dependent adult. It means keeping them from having contact with family and friends. Sometimes it means forbidding receiving telephone calls or mail. It is also considered isolation to use physical restraints. So this prevents contact from visitors or concerned persons.
All this stuff above is elder abuse. There can be financial activities with ATM withdrawal, subscriptions, goods or unnecessary services. Often this gets perpetrated when the elderly account holder is bedridden. These are things which were not possible for the senior to have done. Elderly abuse can also include unpaid bills. Also, it may entail the lack of proper medical care. This is true even though there are funds to pay for medical services.
Stop the Pain and Call Us
Every person has the right to be treated with dignity, respect. Victims should also be cared for with compassion until the end of life. Stop abuse and neglect from happening to a loved family member. Hold abusers responsible for their actions. Contact us toll-free at (888) 400-9721 because we are: Ehline Law Firm Personal Injury Attorneys, APLC. 633 W 5th St #2890 Los Angeles, CA 90071 (213) 596-9642.
