Elder abuse can take many different forms ranging from emotional abuse to physical abuse to financial abuse. Neglect also falls under the umbrella of elder abuse. Seniors are a very vulnerable population that needs to be cared for and protected. Start by paying to attention to some of the following signs of elder abuse:
- Noticeable physical injuries such as bruises, cuts or burns.
- Arguments between a senior and his or her caregiver(s), family members, neighbors or others who routinely visit.
- A senior who appears scared or timid around a caregiver.
- Poor hygiene or unattended medical issues.
- Changes in behavior such as seeming withdrawn or showing signs of depression or anxiety.
If you notice any of the signs and start to see concerning patterns, take the following steps to intervene:
1. Document the signs of elder abuse that you notice with corresponding dates.
2. Talk directly to the senior. He or she may deny the abuse, but having a conversation allows the senior to disclose the information he or she is comfortable sharing. It also may provide more insight into the situation. For seniors who suffer from significant cognitive decline, this conversation may not be possible.
3. Conduct more research by speaking with other family members and those who may be aware of the situation. By providing them with your documented information, a family member may be able to quickly intervene and remove the abuser from the senior’s life.
4. Report it to the authorities. Depending on the type of abuse, there are many agencies that can get involved to investigate and help. Contact the police if you suspect immediate harm. Contact Adult Protective Services to start a social services investigation.
Your role is to provide the right information to the authorities, you do not need to prove the elder abuse is occurring. Your report should simply provide what you noticed, the identity of the person you suspect is causing the abuse, contact information for the senior’s support system and your contact information for follow up questions.
Adult Protective Services is very skilled in investigating these issues. To protect your senior loved ones, contact the elder law attorneys at Stouffer Legal for more information on creating a plan that helps to prevent financial abuse and exploitation of a vulnerable senior loved one. You can schedule an appointment by calling us at (443) 470-3599 or emailing us at office@stoufferlegal.com.
