When you think of your parents, grandparents, and even your own golden years, you may think about gatherings with family, trips down memory lane, and gentle living for your remaining days. No one pictures the ugly act of elder abuse, which is defined as the intentional act of creating a risk of harm to an older adult, generally accomplished by a person or caregiver that the older person trusts. Elder abuse can come in many forms, whether it be neglect, emotional, physical, or sexual abuse, or healthcare fraud or financial abuse. Signs of elder abuse may include neglected health issues, unsafe or unsanitary living conditions, poor personal hygiene, or malnutrition.
The team at Hale Injury Law has countless years of experience with elder abuse and can help you advocate for the important elders in your life. When a care facility or attendant is negligent in caring for their patient and has left them alone when they should never have been unattended, resulting in falls, overmedication, rape, and other injuries, Hale Injury Law elderly abuse attorneys won’t stop fighting until justice has been served and the elder in question is in a safe environment.
Elder abuse is more common than you may realize. The U.S. Department of Justice reports that 1 out of 10 adults over the age of 65 suffer from at least one form of elder abuse annually. This can occur in many settings, whether a senior living facility or a nursing home, but it most commonly occurs at home.
With this high of a statistic, there is a large need for skilled elderly abuse attorneys who specialize in these types of elder abuse cases. Las Vegas based Hale Injury Law attorneys have years of experience with elderly abuse cases and will advocate and fight for those you love who have impacted your life.
Understanding Elderly Abuse and Your Legal Rights
Elderly abuse can mean many things. Keep reading to learn more about the different types of elderly abuse as well as the signs to look for when it comes to elderly abuse and neglect.
Elderly Abuse Signs: Recognizing the Warning Signals
There are many warnings to look for when recognizing elderly abuse, as the abuse can come in many different forms. Emotional and psychological abuse may cause the elder in question to become very emotional or agitated, withdrawn and non-responsive, participating in unusual behaviors such as rocking or biting, a change in eating or sleeping patterns, or witnessing a caregiver purposefully isolating an older adult. Elders who are experiencing sexual abuse may not want to be touched. Physical abuse at the hands of a caregiver may be displayed in unexplained fractures, burns, cuts, or bruises. When the basic needs of the older adult are not being taken care of, such as living in a safe home, bathing, or eating, suspecting neglect is appropriate.
Types of Elderly Abuse: Physical, Emotional, and Financial
As stated above, there are many types of elderly abuse, whether it be in the form of emotional abuse, physical abuse, sexual abuse, or neglect. However, there is also financial abuse. Financial abuse of the elderly is simply the theft or embezzlement of money or property from the elderly. This can come in many forms, including identity theft, telemarketing scams, using an elder to receive elaborate gifts, coercing the person to change their estate documents or to hand over money or personal property, or power of attorney fraud.
Elderly Abuse and Neglect: Identifying Neglect in Care Settings
When identifying neglect in care settings, there are several things to look for. Are the adult’s credit cards missing? Or personal papers? Knowing as much as possible about the individual caring for the adult is also important. Do they have a history of substance abuse? What about criminal behavior or mental illness? Is there a pattern of family violence? These are all things to be aware of. Other signs may be that the adult lacks the basic necessities, including medical care, food, water, medications, and utilities. Additionally, be aware if the adult seems hesitant to speak openly.
Steps to Take If You Suspect Elderly Abuse
If the signs are there and someone you love is the victim of elder abuse, there are specific steps that you should take to protect them.
Immediate Actions in Suspected Abuse Cases
If you suspect elderly abuse, there are several immediate actions to take. You can attempt to speak to the adult who is potentially abused, but be aware that they may not be comfortable revealing the truth about what they are experiencing. They also may feel ashamed or not fully aware of what is happening to them. You can also speak to any support circle the elderly adult may have around them. If a family member is employing a caregiver who is participating in abusive behavior, the family can immediately fire the caregiver and find another option for the adult needing care. In certain cases, authorities may need to be called. Call 911 if you suspect that the adult is in immediate danger.
Documenting Signs of Abuse
It’s possible the case of elder abuse will result in needing legal representation. With this in mind, documentation is extremely important. Records should be kept of any statements made by the elder. Physical signs should also be noted and documented, including the demeanor of the person being abused, their physical appearance, overall hygiene, and emotional state. Photographs or drawings are also helpful.
Reporting Abuse
When reporting abuse, it is extremely important to have documentation, whether it be in photographs, statements, or documented observations about the physical and emotional appearances of the adult. If the adult is in physical danger, it’s important to call 911. Other options include speaking to the elderly adult; however, be aware that this may not work as they may be too frightened or ashamed to confess what is occurring. You may also speak to the elderly victim’s family about what you suspect may be happening for additional support.
When and How
Document, document, document. As you document what you are witnessing and gather observations and statements, it will be clear what the next steps are, whether it’s an immediate physical danger and 911 needs to be called or reaching out to Hale Injury Law to obtain elderly abuse attorney services.
Seeking Legal Counsel
Obtaining legal counsel may very well be the best way to protect the rights of your loved ones. The attorneys at Hale Injury Law are well-versed in elderly abuse attorney services, and their years of experience will not only save your loved one from further abuse and neglect but also allow them to live out the remainder of their life in a safe environment, being appropriately cared for and protected.
Why Choose Hale Injury Law for Elderly Abuse Cases
Hale Injury Law is Nevada’s dedicated elderly abuse lawyers. With years of experience and compassion, they work diligently to ensure that the elderly are being protected from those who abuse this vulnerable population and can live out their lives in the way that they deserve.
When finding the appropriate attorney for an elder abuse case, it’s important to find an attorney who has a great deal of experience and expertise in the suspected area of abuse. Hale Injury Law is set apart by years of experience, award-winning attorneys, and a team that provides the utmost compassion for the elderly.
Contact Us for a Free Consultation
Taking the first step towards justice and compensation can be difficult and scary. When a loved one is being mistreated and abused, it is of the utmost importance that you take action and seek legal help for them by contacting Hale Injury Law.
Your case will be placed in the hands of both knowledgeable and reliable elderly abuse attorneys that will help the one you love to live the life that they deserve. You can trust and have confidence in Hale Injury Law’s utmost dedication to helping clients recover however they need to be, whether physically, emotionally, or financially.
Contact us today for a free consultation with a trusted legal expert.