In the last few years, there is more awareness about elderly abuse. In many years past, it seemed rare that an elderly person could be abused in a nursing home setting or even in private care, but as more information is available it is more common than you think.
The California State Bar defines elderly abuse as the “neglect, exploitation or “painful or harmful” mistreatment of anyone who is 65 or older.” The mistreatment can be a wide range of offenses that include, but are not limited to, physical abuse, psychological abuse, false imprisonment, neglect and unlawfully taking a senior’s money or property.
To protect yourself or loved ones around you, here are some signs that it’s time to contact an attorney from the many Elderly Abuse Attorneys Sacramento has to offer.
The first sign of elderly abuse is often a dramatic change in the senior’s behavior or behaviors. Any time there are signs of withdrawal, confusion or fear, it would be a good time to try to talk to the senior to see what is going on, especially if they have a fear of being touched by others.
Also, take a good look at the senior’s hygiene. Do they look neglected? Are there bed sores developing or do their dentures look to be in good shape? Those are some key indications that they may be neglected by their caretaker.
Another thing to be on the lookout for is the senior’s financial history. Often times, the caretaker will coerce the senior into handing over money and or property. It might not be as obvious as writing a check out to the caregiver or giving them cash directly. Be mindful of any situation that the senior has signed any kind of Power of Attorney paperwork, giving the caregiver full control over finances and property.
If you find yourself being a witness to any of these kinds of situations or find yourself in these situations, you can easily make a phone call to report it or seek advice from Elderly Abuse Attorneys. The best Elderly Abuse Attorneys Sacramento has to offer will have the right connections to help you or other out of the situation safely.
