Personal Injury Law: Elder Abuse

Unfortunately, elder abuse is becoming more and more common in nursing homes. In an effort to protect your loved one from elderly abuse, you must be able to know the different types, as well as identify the signs should they arise. Should you find any of these signs or red flags, you may want to contact a personal injury attorney to fight for their rights.

Financial Abuse 

Financial abuse is one of the most common types of elderly abuse. It is basically when a someone talks an elderly person into giving them money, either by asking them directly or by convincing them that they need something, though they don't. Unfortunately this can often happen within families. Manipulating the elderly in order to have them give someone money is financial abuse. Signs of financial abuse include elderly people who have heavy money restrictions on them or withdrawals of large amounts money that they are hesitant to explain. Talk with your loved one about how they want their finances to be managed, and then stick to that plan.

Physical Abuse

Physical abuse is doing anything that causes bodily harm to an elderly person. Unfortunately, in some rest homes, this may take form in physical restraints, overmedicating patients, or unexplained bruises, cuts, or burns. If you notice any sort of injury on your loved one, you should ask them directly what happened in a private moment. If they are hesitant to explain the injury or do not wish to get medical attention, you should see this as a red flag.

Emotional Abuse

Emotional abuse is all too common in the elderly. This is the result of anything that hurts them emotionally or psychologically such as name calling, belittling, or talking down to them. If you ever hear someone talking down to an elderly person, they should be called out. The elderly are worthy of dignity and respect, and should be treated as such. Make sure that your loved one is being respected at all times. Signs of emotional abuse include depression, sadness, and sometimes anger. Talk to them one-on-one about how they are treated when you are not present to ensure that they are being respected.

In conclusion, if you have a loved one in a nursing home, you should try to be aware of their quality of life. Stay present in their lives so that you would be able to identify the signs of elderly abuse if they were there. If you do feel that there is a need to fight for their rights and safety, elderly abuse is a section of personal injury law. There are personal injury attorneys willing to help you fight.