The United States has about 15,700 nursing homes with a total combined population of over 1.3 million residents, and this number is growing rapidly. Of that population, an estimated 10 percent, 130,000 people, have reported some form of nursing home abuse within the last year. This number, in fact, is probably significantly lower than the actual number of occurrences, since many senior adults in nursing facilities are unwilling or unable to report their abuse. To be sure, in a government study conducted in 2010 over half of the nursing home staff that were surveyed admitted to abusing a resident in some manner within the previous calendar year. And, as with the survey of residents, there is in all likelihood a significant reporting bias to these statistics; offering anonymity will only go so far towards getting people to admit to illegal acts. Nursing home abuse is a common occurrence, and may affect you or somebody that you know at some point during your lifetime.

Types Of Elder Abuse

Abuse of the elderly can take a variety of different forms, but the most common ones are physical, emotional, or sexual abuse. While these typically leave obvious signs, passive neglect and financial exploitation are other common problems facing America’s elderly, and ones that are much more difficult for friends and family members to identify.

It is important for people with a loved one in an extended care facility to stay vigilant for signs of potential abuse or neglect. In many cases confusion or shame will keep a senior from reporting cases of nursing home abuse; it can be hard for a person who is used to being the strong, self-sufficient one to admit that they need help. And it can be even more important when a relative has Alzheimer’s disease or other form of dementia: these issues affect nearly half of the people over the age of 85, and around 47 percent of patients will be mistreated in some way by their caregivers.

Warning Signs Of Elder Abuse

Signs of elder abuse will vary depending on the type of abuse, but typically will involve sudden changes in behavior or a person’s conditions, both physical, behavioral, or financial. Overt physical symptoms are things like bruises, broken bones, abrasions, bedsores, poor hygiene, and unusual weight loss, particularly if there is no explanation or an unsatisfactory explanation for how they occurred. Additionally, psychological factors like rapidly occurring changes in alertness or mood, withdrawal from normal activities, or unusual depression should raise concern. Even if they are not from an elder abuse situation they can also indicate the early stages of a number of medical issues. Finally, any changes in a person’s financial situation should be a red flag to loved ones as well.

Speak With An Attorney

If you or a loved one has suffered from elder abuse or neglect, you may be eligible to recover compensation for your injuries. We encourage you to contact the compassionate legal team at the office of Alan Goldfarb, P.A. in Miami, by telephone at 305-371-3111 or online today to learn how we can get you the compensation you deserve.

Tips to Help Keep Your Loved One Safe

Take the following actions to make sure that your loved one remains safe and healthy in his or her living arrangement:

• Research the Facility: before you place your loved one in a home, make sure that you research the facility and the caregivers. Make frequent visits and be on the lookout for signs of elder abuse such as unexplained illnesses or injuries. If you see signs of elder abuse and neglect, make sure you act immediately and report the abuse.
• Take your Elder Loved to the Doctor: regular medical examinations are important. A doctor can help evaluate the effectiveness of any ongoing medical treatment and may also be the first to notice signs of physical or emotional abuse.
• Support Your Senior: loneliness is dangerous for seniors. Make sure that you take time to visit your loved one. This will give them a sense of comfort and your presence may help prevent an unseemly caretaker from taking advantage of your elderly loved one.
• Make Your Senior Loved has Safety Equipment: make sure your elderly loved one has good footwear and comfortable clothing. If necessary make sure your loved one has a cane or walker. Proper clothing and equipment help ensure your loved one is less likely to slip and fall. Additionally, mobility can help a senior keep their sense of independence and make them less vulnerable to abuse.
• Remember – Elder Abuse can happen at Home: if you have a family member who cares for a senior at home, remember that caregivers get fatigued. Unfortunately, fatigue may lead to abuse or neglect. This can be avoided by supporting the caregiver. Make sure they have breaks from caregiving so that they continue to properly care for their loved one.

Elder abuse is a crime in Florida; however, it can be prevented through diligence. By staying aware and engaging your senior parent or loved one, you can protect them against nursing home abuse and neglect.

Let an Attorney Help if you Suspect Elder Abuse

No one should suffer the humiliation of abuse. This is particularly true of vulnerable seniors who depend on their caregivers. If you suspect your elderly parent or loved one is being abused, then you should speak with the Miami elder abuse and nursing home attorneys at the law office of Alan Goldfarb, P.A. We can help you identify abuse, advise you on the process for reporting the abuse, and help you ensure your loved one is safe. Please contact us today to schedule an initial consultation.

What is Elder Financial Abuse?

Elder financial abuse is a form of elder abuse. Elder financial abuse occurs any time some one the senior person loves or trusts takes advantage of the relationship for economic gain. Elder financial abuse takes many forms, from simple theft to falsifying documents to gain control over a victim’s assets.

Who Commits Elder Financial Abuse?

AARP reports that a family member commits 55% of all elder financial abuse. Oftentimes children feel as though they have a right to their parents’ assets because they know they will benefit from the eventual inheritance. Children experiencing financial troubles may guilt or shame parents into giving them money. In most extreme cases children steal by taking items or cash from their patents.

Similarly, caretakers engage in financial elder abuse. Oftentimes caretakers are responsible for purchasing the elder person’s critical necessities, such as food and medication. However,the caregiver may not purchase items or purchase fewer items than needed. In the most extreme cases, the caregiver gains access to the senior’s financial accounts and directly withdraws funds.

Signs of Elder Financial Abuse

Oftentimes, victims are isolated; feel embarrassed or fearful about their circumstances. Or, in cases of dementia, the elder American is not aware of the abuse. It is possible a senior American is being subjected to elder financial abuse if they suddenly:

• Forget to pay bills;
• Forget to buy food;
• Forget to buy medication;
• Lose personal property; or
• Withdraw from family and other social events.

Florida Law Protects the Elderly from Abuse

The Florida lawmakers created Adult Protective Services Law to discourage and prosecute those who commit elder financial abuse. For elderly who have fallen victim to financial elder abuse, a lawsuit can provide remedy. The victim may be able to recover money or assets that were taken. Additionally, victims may also be able to recover attorney’s fee or punitive damages.

Contact an Attorney

No elder American should endure abuse from the people entrusted to provide critical needs and care. If you suspect a caregiver, family member or scammer is abusing a senior, then you should contact the Miami elder abuse lawyers at our firm. Our elder abuse attorneys can guide you through the process of filing an elder abuse complaint and help you seek recovery. Contact Alan Goldfarb, P.A. to schedule a free consultation with our office by calling (305)-371-3111.