June 15th is World Elder Abuse Awareness Day. States, counties and cities across the nation have declared June Elder Abuse Awareness Month in an effort to raise societal awareness about elder mistreatment.
One in ten seniors have experienced some form of abuse from caretakers, residents and family members, including financial, psychological, emotional and even sexual abuse. If you have aging family members, it’s important to know the signs of elder abuse. It’s estimated that seniors lose $2.6 billion per year, and abuse can “shorten senior citizens’ lives and can increase their risk of death by about 300 percent in comparison with elders who have not been subjected to such abuse.”
If you suspect your loved one has been a victim of elder or nursing home abuse, call the Law Offices of Tim Misny today.
Signs of elder and nursing home abuse
Elder abuse and nursing home abuse can take many forms, and it’s not always obvious. While physical abuse can leave bruises and other injuries, other forms of abuse and neglect can be harder to detect. Here’s what to look for:
- Physical signs: Look for bruises, lacerations and untreated bedsores. Notice if the senior looks like they’re dirty or underfed. While accidents can happen, these may indicate mistreatment.
- Behavioral signs: If the patient seems isolated, distressed, withdrawn or preoccupied, this could be a sign that they’re being abused. It’s crucial to keep in touch with your loved one to monitor these changes.
- Isolation: Are you able to stay in touch with your loved one, or are they being isolated by their caretakers or nursing home? While isolation can be a sign of depression, involuntary isolation is a form of abuse.
- Financial changes: If you notice that a senior suddenly has new financial habits, that could be a sign they’re being abused. Changes to their banking process (including disappearing sums of money) or to a will are cause for further investigation.
- Direct accusations: Finally, your loved one may be able to tell you they’re being abused. Take any accusations seriously, even if they’ve experienced cognitive decline—abusers frequently take advantage of confused seniors.
The Law Offices of Tim Misny routinely handle nursing home abuse cases. If you suspect that your loved one is a victim of nursing home abuse, we can help. Call us today. We’ll review your claim and explain your legal options so you can protect your elderly relative.
Contact me for help with nursing home abuse
Nursing home abuse is common throughout Ohio, but we can work to hold the home responsible. When it comes to negligent healthcare providers, I’ll Make Them Pay!® Call my office at (800) 556-4769 today for more information.
