Elder Abuse: Intimidation, Exploitation and Physical Pain

Written by Adam Peck Category: Elder Abuse January 26th, 2013 2 min read

For older adults who depend on others to care for them, the world can be a scary place.

Like children who rely on their parents for care and protection, the elderly have to rely on others to look out for them.

Over 100,000 fall victim each year in California alone to abuse or exploitation.

Sometimes the pain is physical. Other times it is sexual or emotional. Many times, it is financial.

Abuse can take less-noticeable forms, too, such as cases in which caregivers don’t provide clothing or food for a person or intimidate and exploit them.

Fifty-eight percent of abuse cases reported in 2006 involved financial exploitation, according to reports, and 22 percent were physical abuse cases.

Sadly, not all of the abuse is from strangers. Many of the cases reported in years past have involved caregivers or even family members.

The National Center on Elder Abuse suggests as many as 84 percent of abuse cases are never reported or investigated.

Elder Abuse Awareness Month will draw attention to the growing situation by urging people to watch for signs of abuse and then “break the silence” that keeps so many cases hidden.

Nationwide, an estimated 1 million to 2 million elderly people will be victims of abuse. Although no case is typical, an abuse victim is usually a woman in her late 70s who is preyed upon by a family member, frequently an adult child. Often, the victim has no way to escape the abuse and nowhere to turn.

There are some things that can indicate a problem exists:

Does an elderly person have injuries such as bruises, cuts and scratches, or do they talk about injuries that have been untreated?
Has a person shown a sudden change in personal hygiene, or appear malnourished or dehydrated?
Has a senior become withdrawn or started to isolate themselves from social settings? Are there other changes in behavior that have become apparent?

Listen for verbal cues, such as talk about changing a will or adding someone else’s name to a bank account. Sometimes an elderly abuse victim will mention poor living conditions almost as an afterthought.

Don’t discount such talk. It could be a life-or-death decision.

Get involved.

Contact Steven Peck’s Premier Legal with your concerns at (866) 999-9085 to talk to an experienced elder law and abuse attorney.

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Written by Adam Peck

Expertise: Personal Injury

Adam J. Peck, ESQ is a principal with Peck Law Group, APC. In 2008, Mr. Adam Peck received his Juris Doctorate from Whittier Law School where he graduated Cum Laude. His practice is primarily dedicated to representing Elders, Dependent Adults, along with their loved ones and family members, who have suffered horrific personal injuries.