Is My Elderly Loved One Being Abused?
Alabama law defines first-degree elder abuse as when a person “intentionally abuses or neglects” an elderly person, and the abuse or neglect causes that elderly person “serious physical injury.” Second- and third-degree elder abuse charges follow similar lines – but it is important to be aware that not all cases of elder abuse are easy to discover.
If you suspect that your elderly loved one may be a victim of abuse, it is crucial that you act fast. The right Birmingham elder abuse attorney can make all the difference. The firm of Goldasich, Vick & Fulk can offer compassionate and dedicated representation during what can be a scary time for you and your family.
No Set Pattern
Data reported by the American Psychological Association (APA) estimates that as many as 1 in 10 people who live at home experience some kind of abuse, with the number for institutions being even higher. As one might imagine, most kinds of abuse demonstrably shorten the life of the victim, due to both physical issues that might develop and the continual assault on one’s mental health. However, it is incredibly difficult to determine abuse is occurring sometimes, simply because there is no singular hallmark pattern among all those who abuse the elderly.
There are several types of elder abuse, though the most common – and easiest to spot – is physical in nature. However, other types are much more difficult to uncover. Some include:
- Emotional abuse, also referred to as psychological abuse. Mostly verbal, but very often this can include behaviors like isolation or humiliation. There is a clear power differential between the alleged abuser and their victim;
- Financial abuse. A caregiver may outright steal from their victim, but they may also embezzle (take funds or property while ostensibly ‘protecting’ it for the victim) or commit fraud – for example, changing names on wills or powers of attorney; and
- Sexual abuse, which is, unfortunately, fairly self-explanatory.
Is There Abuse?
If you suspect abuse, it is worth investigating not only the living situation of the alleged victim, but also that of the alleged abuser. One of the potential aggravating factors for a caregiver to lash out is a change in their own circumstances – for example, losing a job, breaking up with a significant other, or experiencing another major life event can all make a person’s patience and forbearance evaporate.
In general, most signs of elder abuse are physical, even if the abuse itself is not necessarily physical in nature. For example, a person experiencing psychological abuse may make less of an effort to maintain personal hygiene, or may experience sudden weight loss. Any unexplained changes should be grounds for investigation, or at the very least, grounds for a talk with your loved one. It is crucial that you maintain yourself as a ‘safe’ person, so that if anything untoward does occur, your loved one can come to you without fear.
Don’t Be Afraid – We Can Help
Dealing with abuse can be extremely traumatic for both the victim and their family. If you and your loved ones are experiencing these events, our Birmingham personal injury attorneys from Goldasich, Vick & Fulk can try to help. We have experience in these matters, and will try our best to put it to work for you. Contact our office today at (205) 731-2566 to schedule a consultation.
Source:
apa.org/topics/aging-older-adults/elder-abuse
