3 Forms Of Elder Abuse To Look For
Many people do not understand how common and how serious elder abuse is. Many people suffer from elder abuse without getting the help that they need. The first step to preventing elder abuse is to understand what types of abuse there are and what to look for. Here are a couple different types of abuse elders are vulnerable to.
1. Financial Abuse
Many aging individuals have a good deal of money for their retirement. These funds are set aside to help them with their needs and for their enjoyment. However, some family members, friends and medical personnel might try to exploit the aging individual for their money. Your loved one could be tricked into buying things for others, or an abusive person could be using their account to buy things for themselves, or could even be stealing from them.
Some things you should look for to determine financial abuse is any discrepancies in their finances. You should ask your loved one if you can look over their finances to make sure that all of the purchases were legitimate. If you suspect any problems, take action right away, even legal action if necessary.
2. Physical Abuse
Unfortunately, as an individual ages they may not have the strength or mental capacity to protect themselves. Sadly, some caretakers, family members and acquaintances may harm your loved one. This could be in the form of physical harm or even sexual abuse.
Some things that you should look for in your loved one are unexplained bruises, scratches, frequent urinary tract infections, and acting scared in general. Your loved one may be afraid to talk about the abuse, or may not be able to remember it fully, which is why you must intervene.
3. Neglect
Neglect is also a very common form of elder abuse. Many people don't get the treatment that they need. If your loved one is being neglected they might go a long period without food, help going to the bathroom, bathing and so much more. This kind of treatment even happens in nursing homes and assisted living facilities. This is why it is so important that family and friends check in frequently with their loved one to make sure everything is okay.
By understanding what kind of abuse exists you can know what to look for. If at any time you suspect problems, you should talk to a lawyer such as Cormac McEnery. They can help you to take legal measures to ensure that your loved one is safe from abuse.