Abuse in any form, to anyone, should not be tolerated. With physical weakness, low mental capacity, and age, elders are more vulnerable and quickly become a target of abuse. This abuse can be in various forms -mental, physical, financial, sexual, and more.
With the increase in elderly care, you may look for nursing homes or caretakers for your loved ones. Irrespective of how much they boast about their services, many elders become victims of abuse in the nursing homes or by their caretakers. Regardless of who the abuser is, they should be held accountable for their actions by taking legal actions against them.
In this blog, we will put a spotlight on various types of elder abuse, signs of abuse, and the next steps to help you learn more about the law.
Signs that your loved one is a victim of elder abuse.
- Sudden weight gain or loss.
- Physical injuries with no valid explanation.
- Depression, stress, anxiety, and other mental issues.
- They fear touch or anyone being around.
- Dehydration.
- Blood on sheets, clothes, and other materials they use daily.
- Social withdrawal and change in behavior.
- Misdiagnose.
If you notice these signs, ensure to report the abuse to the responsible authority and take your loved one to a safe space. Next, you can contact a lawyer who deals with elder abuse to take legal action and get financial compensation for the losses your loved one had to bear.
Types of Elder Abuse
- Emotional abuse: Psychological or emotional abuse comes in various forms and does not necessarily show physical signs. You may notice the elder person socially withdrawing, fearing, getting anxious, depressed, etc. Emotional abuse can be harassment, mental torture, threats, criticism, isolation, and more.
- Sexual abuse: Many older adults become victims of sexual abuse or assault in nursing homes or by the caretaker. These abuses can be as minor as inappropriate touches to rape. Sexual abuse can leave the older adult with severe physical injuries and emotional trauma.
- Physical abuse: Physical abuse can be one of the most challenging abuses that an older adult has to grow through. This is because the person may be unable to fight back for self-defense due to lower physical strength. Additionally, elders are more prone to severe injuries (even slight force) and face severe health complications.
- Financial abuse: financial abuse is when the person illegally tries to take advantage of the older adult’s finances. For example, stealing their money, manipulating them into giving them money, forcing them to sign financial documents, frauds, and more.
- Neglect: Older adults need appropriate care to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Since they are more prone to diseases and injuries, they need additional care. However, the caretaker or the nursing home may neglect their special needs, resulting in adverse health complications and even death.