Identifying and Preventing Elder Abuse: What You Need to Know
Posted on August 12, 2024 by shieldsandboris
Sadly, elder abuse is a serious problem. According to data from the National Council on Aging (NCOA), approximately one in ten senior citizens have endured some form of elder abuse. As someone who cares about an aging parent or other vulnerable loved one, it is crucial that you know the warning signs of abuse.
At The Elder Law Offices of Shields & Boris, we are committed to protecting the rights of senior citizens and their families. Elder abuse is always a serious matter. Any suspicions of mistreatment must be addressed. Here, our elder law attorneys provide a comprehensive overview of the most important things families need to know about identifying—and better yet—preventing elder abuse.
Prevention Comes First: Three Tips to Reduce the Risk of Elder Abuse
Providing care and support for an aging parent, grandparent, or other vulnerable loved one in Pennsylvania can be stressful. A proactive approach is a must. The best way to deal with the risk of elder abuse is to put a comprehensive structure in place to prevent it. Here are the top three tips that families in Western Pennsylvania can use to reduce the risk of elder abuse:
- Ensure Your Loved One Has an Estate Plan/Elder Care Plan in Place: Preparing for the future is crucial in preventing elder abuse. An estate plan and an elder care plan should outline the wishes and arrangements for your loved one's care and asset management. A goal is to ensure that their health, safety, and well-being are protected when they can no longer make decisions for themselves. Among other things, a plan may include a durable power of attorney (POA), a living will, and a health care proxy.
- Do Your Research On Any Caregivers and/or Assisted Living Facilities: Before entrusting your loved one to a caregiver or an assisted living facility, conduct thorough background checks and read reviews to verify their reliability and quality of care. When possible, it is important to visit facilities in person. By doing so, you will have the opportunity to observe the living conditions, interact with the staff, and get a better sense of the environment. Feel free to ask questions.
- Make Sure You and Your Family are Involved: Supporting a vulnerable elderly loved one takes a team. Regular involvement in your loved one’s life is a powerful deterrent against abuse. Frequent visits can help you monitor their health and the care they are receiving. Beyond that, maintaining open lines of communication with your loved one and their caregivers can help to prevent abuse.
Prompt Identification is a Must: The Warning Signs of Elder Abuse
The unfortunate reality is that you can do everything right and elder abuse can still occur. Given that reality, it is imperative that you know the warning signs that suggest something is wrong. Early identification of elder mistreatment can make all of the difference. Here are five common red flags:
- Verbal Complaints: Listen attentively to what your loved one is saying. Complaints about mistreatment or discomfort under the care of someone should always be taken seriously—even if they are retracted or downplayed later. Play is safe: Always follow-up.
- Changes in Demeanor: Sudden changes in behavior or mood can be a significant indicator of abuse. Along with other things, common signs include an increase in depression, anxiety, or withdrawal from social activities that they previously enjoyed.
- Dehydration or Malnutrition: These conditions may not just be due to illness or aging but could also be a sign of neglect. If your loved one appears unusually weak, has cracked lips, dry mouth, or sudden weight loss, these could be red flags that basic needs are not met.
- Bedsores and/or Poor Hygiene: Bedsores (pressure ulcers) are often a sign of neglect, especially if the elder is bedridden and not adequately cared for. Similarly, poor hygiene can indicate that the caregiver is not properly attending to the elder's daily needs.
- Unexplained Injuries: Finally, bruises, cuts, or burns that cannot be satisfactorily explained should immediately raise suspicion. The presence of frequent injuries—especially in various stages of healing—may indicate rough handling or another type of ongoing abuse.
If you notice any of the signs of abuse—even something that seems like a relatively small issue—it is always a best practice to follow up on the matter and figure out exactly what is going on. Protect your vulnerable loved one from the risk of elder abuse by identifying problems right away.
Suspicions of Elder Abuse Should Be Reported Immediately
You can and should report elder abuse to the appropriate authorities. To start, if your loved one resides within a nursing home or other type of assisted care facility, you have a legal right to raise your concerns internally within that organization. Further, suspected elder abuse should be reported to state authorities. The Pennsylvania Department of Aging is the state agency responsible for handling these matters. Elder abuse can be reported 24/7/365—both by phone and through the Internet. Prompt reporting can initiate an investigation and provide the necessary support and protection to prevent further harm.
You should not hesitate to seek legal guidance and support. To start, an experienced Pennsylvania elder law attorney can review the matter and help you determine what you need to do to protect the safety of your vulnerable loved one. Next, your lawyer will ensure that the matter is reported properly. Your attorney can also help you review and revise any existing estate plan/elder care plan to address the issue and prevent similar problems. Finally, a Pennsylvania elder law attorney can provide guidance on whether or not your family has a viable civil legal claim for elder abuse.
We are the Premier Elder Law Firm Serving Western Pennsylvania
At The Elder Law Offices of Shields & Boris, our Pennsylvania elder law attorneys are skilled, experienced, and compassionate advocates for clients. If you suspect any type of elder abuse, we can help. Call us now at (724) 204-5643 or contact us online for your completely confidential initial consultation. We provide results-focused elder law services throughout Western Pennsylvania.
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