June is Elder Abuse Awareness Month and June 15 is International Elder Abuse Awareness Day. These are campaigns established in 2006 by the International Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse to raise awareness about the mistreatment of older adults.
Elder abuse is a serious and often overlooked problem in the United States. It occurs when an older adult is harmed through someone’s actions or failure to act, resulting in physical injury, emotional harm, or financial exploitation. It can also happen when an older person is unable to meet their own basic needs for health, safety, and well-being. Elder abuse can take many forms, including physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional abuse, neglect, and financial exploitation. Self-neglect, in which an older adult is unable or unwilling to care for themselves, is also considered a form of elder abuse.
If you believe that your loved one is being abused by a caregiver or caregiving facility, you may be feeling unsure of how to prove that abuse is happening and who to turn to for help. An experienced nursing home abuse attorney can be a valuable resource with zero upfront costs.
- Investigate the situation and gather evidence
- Protect your loved one by helping to arrange a move to a safe environment
- Handle communication with nursing homes, caregivers, insurance companies, and other involved parties on your behalf
- Pursue compensation for medical expenses, pain and suffering, and other losses resulting from the abuse or neglect.
Warning Signs of Elder Abuse
There are many warning signs of elder abuse to look out for but don’t forget to trust your gut instinct and remember that a caregiver may hide their abusive behavior in front of family members. Review this list to help identify potential signs of abuse and determine whether a loved one may be at risk:
Physical Abuse. Unexplained injuries, recurring injuries, or a diagnosis that lacks a reasonable explanation, including bruises, burns, sprains, broken bones, or other signs of physical trauma.
Emotional Abuse. Withdrawal from social activities, increased isolation, sudden changes in mood or behavior, fearfulness around a caregiver, or restrictions placed on contact with family and friends.
Sexual Abuse. An unexplained sexually transmitted infection, bruising, bleeding, swelling, or other signs of trauma around the genital area.
Neglect or Abandonment. Worsening health due to missed medications, poor personal hygiene, unexplained weight loss, unsafe or unsanitary living conditions, soiled clothing or bedding, bedsores, or untreated medical conditions.
Financial Exploitation. A sudden inability to pay bills despite steady income, unpaid monthly expenses, a spike in credit card debt, large gifts to non-family members, transferring financial control to a caregiver, or confusion when explaining financial transactions.
Healthcare Fraud. Medical tests, treatments, or equipment that cannot be adequately explained by a caregiver, or insurance statements showing charges for services, care, or medical equipment that were never received.
What Do I Do If I Suspect Nursing Home Abuse?
If you suspect your loved one is a victim of nursing home neglect or abuse or if you have been victimized in a nursing home, the first priority is to get out of a dangerous situation. Next, report the abuse: to find your state’s number, go to the National Center on Elder Abuse website and click on “Suspect Abuse?”
You may also benefit from legal help. An experienced Nursing Home Neglect Lawyer will be able to discuss the particulars of your situation and help you through any appropriate personal injury claim.
Seek the Help of a Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer
If your loved one has been injured as a result of abuse or neglect, you may be feeling overwhelmed with how to help them. Let an experienced nursing home abuse attorney help you fight for justice. It is not uncommon to receive a settlement from the insurance company that is five to ten times larger with the help of a good lawyer. Call the caring elder abuse attorneys at Tario & Associates, P.S. in Bellingham, WA today for a FREE consultation! Since 1979, our personal injury law firm, Tario & Associates, P.S., has been dedicated to fighting for the rights of people injured throughout Washington State, with local offices in Bellingham and Mount Vernon to serve residents of Whatcom, Skagit, Island, and Snohomish counties. You will pay nothing up front and no attorney fees at all unless we recover damages for you!
