Author Archives: Adam Peck

Elder abuse is defined as any form of mistreatment (resulting in injury or loss) against an elderly person. There are several types of elder abuse.

Physical abuse happens when someone uses force to cause bodily injury or pain and includes battery and assault. Improperly restraining or drugging an elderly person is also considered physical abuse.

Sexual abuse occurs when an elderly person is raped or otherwise sexually assaulted without their consent. It can also happen when porn or other sexually explicit materials are shown to elders against their will, or when the elder is forced to watch sex acts between other people.

There are several other ways elders can be abused. For example, elder neglect (failure to attend to physical care needs) can be considered a form of abuse. This can happen intentionally, or because the caregiver is unaware of or in denial about the level of care the elder needs. Neglect happens very often in Skilled Nursing Facilities based upon the negligent failure to provide for a patient’s medical needs says San Francisco Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect Attorney Steven C. Peck.

Health care fraud is another form of elder abuse, in which the nursing home charges for services not rendered or overcharges for services performed. This can also happen when elders’ meds are stolen or misreported to insurance companies.

It’s also important to keep a close eye on your elderly relative’s finances during their stay in a nursing facility. Some corrupt nursing homes or employees attempt to financially exploit the elderly. They may steal checks, credit card numbers or even their entire identity for illegal purposes. Nursing home employees also have been known to ingratiate themselves with elderly residents to attempt to be put into their wills or to forge signatures on documents to obtain money, goods or services in the resident’s name.