For many people with elderly family members or friends, ensuring the safety and well-being of their loved ones is a top priority. In fact, there are many excellent care providers who work very hard to ensure that this is the case, and that older people receive a high level of support and care when they need it in care homes or in their own homes.
However, there are some cases where it can be found that this level of care is sometimes not high enough, leading to negligence that has many negative consequences for the person concerned. In some cases, this can amount to elder abuse, where the person in question is deliberately mistreated by carers.
In both cases, it is possible to hire an elder abuse attorney to seek compensation for this type of situation. These professionals will advocate for the rights of the older person in question and seek justice in the form of personal injury compensation or criminal prosecution.
There are many different legal definitions of different types of elder abuse, including but not limited to physical abuse, sexual abuse, neglect, financial abuse, abandonment, and isolation. All of these are addressed in the relevant US criminal codes that a good elder abuse attorney will be able to advise anyone who is concerned about the welfare of someone they know about.
In all cases, if elder abuse is suspected, it is highly recommended to seek out a good elder abuse attorney for advice on how to proceed. These legal professionals will be able to advise at all stages of the process and ensure that the rights and well-being of the people involved are protected.
There are several signs and symptoms of elder abuse that are helpful to be aware of, and should be known to those with elderly relatives or friends who care for or receive care at home. Some of the first signs are physical ailments and injuries, which are often very noticeable and can cause great distress and discomfort in older people.
These include pressure ulcers and malnutrition, and lack of proper medical care when needed. If an older person you know is not receiving treatment when they are sick, this is a sign of elder abuse. Similarly, if the person is not receiving proper nutrition, this is also a sign of elder abuse.
There are certain other signs of abuse that are important to be aware of, particularly in regards to the mental health of the individual. Wandering and confusion can be signs of a lack of assistance and care on the part of carers to ensure that the older person is being cared for to a high standard.
It is important to consider whether the nurse or caregiver is attentive to the requests and concerns of the elderly. The relationship between a caregiver and the elderly is very important, and family and friends can also detect other signs that this relationship is not efficient and is causing the abandonment of the elderly.
If the nurse or caregiver isolates the elder from friends or family, or seems more concerned about the elder’s finances than his or her health, these are also indicators that the elder has been the victim of neglect, abuse, or financial exploitation, all of which have serious consequences.
For those who are concerned about the level of care their loved ones are receiving, it is very important to be vigilant for signs of elder abuse and neglect. These points listed above are just some of the symptoms of such circumstances and should be noted to all friends and relatives of the elderly in care.