Elder abuse occurs in many settings including: abuse at a nursing home, hospice, or assisted living facility; abuse by a hired home-caregiver, or other caretaker at an adult daycare. It can take the form of physical, emotional, or psychological abuse. Neglect is also a very serious type of elder abuse, especially because it isn’t as easily detectable and can be overlooked for long periods of time.  Finally, it may take the form of financial abuse by a caretaker, a relevative, or an unscrupulous financial professional.   

It may be hard to tell if an elder is being abused since they are not likely to report it and often seek to hide it in shame. If you suspect that an elder is being abused, speak with the elder about your concerns and seek support for yourself. You can talk to the elder’s doctors and nurses, enlist a social worker by calling your local Adult Protective Services Agency in Philadelphia (PA), and, most importantly, find a lawyer skilled in elderly abuse to help guide you through this complicated situation.

Signs of Elder Abuse

Regardless of the individuals or institutions entrusted to take care of an aging loved one, the signs of abuse and neglect are similar across the board.

Physical abuse can include hitting, punching, pushing, restraining, and many more. Neglect is also considered abuse. Some of the indications of these include:

• Bruises, welts, scratches, fractures, burns, or any other visible sign of outward harm
• Untreated or infected wounds
• Foul odor or smell of bodily fluids and excrement
• Unclean environment such as dirty dishes, bedsheets, or laundry laying around
• Unusual weight loss or change of eating habits

Physical signs of elder abuse or neglect may include bruises, burns, pressure marks, cuts, abrasions, lacerations, broken bones, sprains, or dislocations. These injuries may be caused by the caregiver, or may happen as a result of falling or wandering.

If elders are being neglected, they may have dirty clothes, body odor, skin conditions such as eczema, lesions on the skin from bed sores, and poor personal hygiene. They may also have unbrushed teeth and dirty nails.

A person who is being abused or neglected, especially in the case of emotional or psychological abuse, may exhibit any of these signs:

• Sudden change in behavior such as isolation or aggression
• Depression
• Withdrawal from social activities
• Fatigue, malnutrition, or dehydration
• Confusion or agitation
• Reluctance to speak in the presence of the caregiver

If you witness any of these signs or observe any conditions such as those above, it is vital to seek help and justice. An elder abuse lawyer can provide counsel and guidance for you and your loved ones. When an elderly person cannot help themselves, and you don’t know how to help them out of their situation, it’s important to contact a lawyer near me to get the compensation they deserve.

Elder Financial Abuse

Elder abuse isn’t always just about physical assault or neglect. Often, an elderly person can be taken advantage of financially, which can be very damaging to their lives.

There are a number of elder financial scams that can victimize seniors, including:

• Telemarketing scams: A telemarketer calls and tells the elderly person that they’ve won a prize or that there is a special offer available. The caller may ask for personal information like Social Security numbers or bank account details.
• Identity theft: An imposter pretends to be someone the elderly person knows like a friend, family member or even an attorney. This scam artist then asks for money.
• Investment scams: A fraudster offers investments that guarantee high returns with little risk, but in reality they are stealing the investor’s money.

Unfortunately, elder financial abuse is an all too common occurrence. It’s important to understand that many senior citizens suffer from dementia or other age-related health problems that make them a target for scams. Seniors can’t always be relied upon to protect themselves from financial abuse, so it’s up to their loved ones and caregivers to be on the lookout for any suspicious activity. Financial regulators have imposed a number of protective rules on financial professionals which can also help alert you to suspicious activity.

Elder Abuse Attorney in Philadelphia

If you suspect that an elder is being abused or neglected, it is important to take immediate action. This can be difficult, but it may be the only way to make the situation better. Find the right attorney on elder abuse by contacting our qualified, caring team in Philadelphia (PA).