Elder Abuse: The Undereported Tragedy

Written by Adam Peck Category: Elder Law January 26th, 2013 3 min read

Abuse of the elderly often goes unreported and undetected. Caring for elders, especially victims of types of dementia, such as Alzheimer’s Disease can test the patience of anyone. Mood swings of Alzheimer sufferers can push the most even-tempered to lose control, especially if there are other stresses going on for a caregiver. This is a job that often finds professionals finding it difficult to maintain composure.

A prime example is a family caring for a elderly mother who could no longer live on her own after her husband died. The family was having other teenage child issues, facing economical hard difficulties and as the stress was mounting, bouts of anger between the elderly mother and her caregiver daughter began. This is not something unusual. These are not cases of terrible people. They are persons who wish to help their elderly loved ones in their homes to allow their aging parent to be surrounded with family members who love them and will care for them, but caregiving can be the most difficult job in the world, if the elder has issues with behavior because their minds are gradually being wiped clean of memories and normal social behaviors.

These are times when caregivers need to talk to others, look to their doctors or church or seek out help from elder care associations in their area. There is nothing wrong with asking for help or even coming to a decision that you can no longer talk care of your elder family member. There may be a need for a professional nursing care home.

If you have an elder family member in a nursing home, do not necessarily dismiss things they may tell you about someone yelling at them or pushing them. Look for new marks on their body, wrists or elsewhere. If you help them to the bathroom, look for any marks or signs of abuse. If you suspect anything but are hesitant to speak to someone at the facility, call your doctor or look to the resource links at Steven Peck’s Premier Legal and call toll free at 1-866-999-9085 to talk to an experienced elder law and elder abuse attorney. There are many resources to call if you have no one to go to, but follow your intuition, if you have suspicions, then ask the questions.

The most important thing is to talk and look for advice and professional advice as well. The other key thing is to not allow yourself to feel guilt for looking for other help or even realizing that you can no longer take care of an elder while maintaining a family that is already dealing with stress of our current times.

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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.