Spotting Elder Abuse at Home

Spotting Elder Abuse at Home

Elder Abuse involves physical, emotional, financial, sexual, and neglectful harm inflicted upon an older adult. In the U.S. alone, millions of Elder Abuse reports reach authorities every year, and millions of more cases go unreported. As you can see, Elder Abuse happens more frequently than you might think and learning to spot the warning signs and what you can do to help can even save an elder’s life.

As elders become more physically frail, they are less capable of taking care of themselves, stand up to mistreatments, or fight back if attacked. Mental or physical conditions can make them, even more, trying companions for those who live with them. And they may not see or hear as well or think as clearly as they used to, leaving openings for dishonest people to take advantage of them in their own home.

Elder abuse can occur in institutional settings, especially long-term care facilities, but it usually tends to take place where the senior lives and their abusers are often adult children or grandchildren, other family members such spouse or partner, or even a professional caregiver who’s providing a care service in the home setting.

Spotting the Signs of Elder Abuse at Home

Abuse can happen to any older person, by a family member, a loved one, a hired caregiver, a neighbor, or a stranger. Abuse can happen at home, at a relative’s home, or in an eldercare facility. Learning about the different types of abuse and how to recognize the signs is crucial.

Watch for these signs of abuse at home:

  • Unexplained injuries such as bruises, cuts, burns, scars, or broken bones.
  • Unusual withdrawal from family members, friends, neighbors.
  • Symptoms of anxiety, depression, or confusion.
  • Appears dirty, underfed, dehydrated, over- or-under-medicated, or not receiving needed care for medical problems.
  • Recent changes in banking or spending patterns.

Reporting Domestic Elder Abuse

Generally, any person who is in some way responsible for the care of an older adult should make a report if he or she has reason to believe that the elderly person has been abused. These could include professional at-home caregivers, family members, friends, or any other person who interacts with the elderly person regularly.

If you suspect Elder Abuse is happening to someone you know, the first thing you need to address is the senior’s immediate safety and health care needs. Once the victim is safe, it’s time to recover financial compensation and make the guilty party. We invite you at our Elder Abuse Attorney in Los Angeles or surrounding area. You can Contact us at 888-288-0091 or through our website right away so that we have time to take action and have the best chance possible of a successful resolution.