Elder Abuse Motivations

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

Money Can be a Prime Motivator for Elder Abuse by a Family Member

Ninety – three years old Bettina D was rushed to the Emergency Department of a local hospital. Upon examination, the patient was suffering from pneumonia, acute hypertension, malnutrition, dehydration, and bedsores, which indicates substandard care.

Aggressive medical intervention returned the patient’s soaring blood pressure to a normal range, but her caregiver, an adult offspring, demanded Bettina’s immediate discharge from the hospital. The patient was returned to her own home and continued to receive minimal medical and physical care from her fiduciary. Bettina D is a victim of elder abuse.

What is Senior Abuse?

According to the World Health Organization, “abuse of older adults may be a single, or repeated acts or lack of appropriate action occurring with any relationship where there is an expectation of trust which causes harm or distress to an older person”. It constitutes emotional, financial exploitation, neglect or abandonment, physical, and sexual abuse.

Motivations Behind Elder Abuse

There are many driving forces that cause this type of offense. They include the following elements:

Perpetrator’s own financial problems. The desire of the caregiver to resolve this dilemma and easy access to the victim’s funds or assets often leads to financial exploitation.
The fiduciary stands to inherit the victim’s assets and feel justified in taking an advance on a forthcoming legacy, or controlling assets that are believed to be almost rightfully the perpetrator’s own. If the caregiver is an heir, this person may surmise that advanced steps are needed to prevent the exhaustion of their inheritance through medical or other expenditures needed by the victim.

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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.