ELDER ABUSE LAWYER

In a 2005 study, senior citizens over the age of 80 were reportedly the highest growing population in the United States. This trend brings forth the risk and growth of a group that is at the greatest risk for abuse and neglect—what is most frightening, is that this abuse  often exists within the walls of their own homes. The perpetrators can be paid caregivers, friends, or even close family.

There are 6 Main Categories of Elder Abuse in San Diego County:

1. Physical Abuse—This form of abuse occurs when physical force is used to produce bodily injuries, pain, and impairment. Physical abuse may include striking (with or without and object), beating, hitting, shoving, shaking, pushing, kicking, pinching, and even burning. Other types of physical abuse will include force-feeding, inappropriate restrains, drugs, and physical punishment. Signs that a loved one has been physically abused include bruises & welts, black eyes, lacerations, marks on the body made by a rope, broken and fractured bones, open wounds, punctures, dislocations, internal bleeding, broken eyeglasses, signs of being restrained, medication overdose, a sudden change of behavior by the elder, and a caretaker refusing to allow visitors see the elder alone.
2. Sexual Abuse—Non-consensual sexual contact with a senior citizen is deemed sexual abuse. This also includes sex with a person who is unable to give consent. Sexual abuse may involve unwanted touching, sexual assault, rape, sexually-explicit photography, and forced nudity. Signs that a loved one has been sexually abused include bruises near the genitals or breasts, genital infections, anal or vaginal bleeding, and the elder reporting incidence of sexual assault or rape.
3. Emotional/Psychological Abuse—Nonverbal or verbal acts that inflict anguish, pain, and distress are forms of emotional or psychological abuse. This may include verbal assaults, intimidations, threats, insults, harassment, and humiliation. Isolating an elder from their family, treating them like a child, or refusing to speak to them causes severe emotional and psychological stress.
4. Neglect—Sadly, neglect is one of the most common abuses of elders. The failure to fulfill obligations or duties to the elder, these include malnutrition, dehydration, poor hygiene, hazardous living conditions, untreated health problems, and unsanitary conditions.
5. Abandonment—When those who have assumed responsibility over the care of an elder neglect their duties, it is referred to as abandonment. This includes desertion at a doctor’s office, hospital, grocery store, or other public location.
6. Financial/Material Exploitation—Another kind of elder abuse is the improper or illegal use of a senior citizen’s property, funds, or assets. This would include forging checks & signatures, stealing money, or deceiving them into signing an important document (like a will or deed).