Warning Signs of Elderly Abuse

Elderly abuse has tragic consequences for the abused, their family and their loved ones. It is an inherent breach of trust which traumatizes not only the abused but anyone who cares about them.

Due to our societies' medical advances, people are living longer than ever, yet the modern medical practices that promote and sustain life cannot promise that those saved from death may live in full possession of their mental and physical faculties. A large portion of the population today are senior citizens living with some form of assisted care and it is estimated that by the year 2020 nearly 60 million people over the age of 65 will be living in the United States. A substantial number of these seniors will require a private caregiver or need to live in a long-term care facility.

Many of the elderly alive today require a degree of assistance that is impossible for their family members to provide, and so they must enlist outside help. Unfortunately, long-term care facilities, nursing homes, and hospitals already experience serious budgetary constraints and understaffing that contributes to elderly abuse, and if these problems are not remedied within the next decade, the negligence and abuse of our senior citizens will reach epidemic proportions.

Elder abuse comes in many forms including embezzlement, theft, sexual mistreatment, neglect and abandonment, emotional abuse, physical abuse and medical malpractice. It is both difficult to recognize and easy to ignore, as many of its victims do not report the neglect and abuse for fear of further harm, retaliation or due to their own feelings of shame for allowing the treatment to occur. To prevent or halt the abuse of an elder loved one requires learning the warning signs of elderly abuse today.

Physical abuse is the easiest type of abuse to determine because there is physical evidence of harm. Although the aged injure easily, broken bones, unexplained injuries, marks of pressure or restraint, burns or abrasions are all clear signs of physical abuse.

Elder neglect is another form of abuse and may be indicated by the presence of bedsores, improper hygiene, unexplained weight loss and enduring medical symptoms not healed by medication.

If an elderly loved one exhibits inexplicable personality changes, social withdrawal or a sudden lack of alertness, this may be a sign of verbal abuse, harassment or improper medication.

Finally, financial abuse comes in the form of missing funds or assets and identity theft.

If you are concerned that a loved one may have been the victim of elder abuse, call a lawyer familiar with elderly abuse and nursing home neglect.