Elder Abuse: Ugly and Despicable

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

The abuse of Elders is some of the ugliest and most despicable abuse that no right-thinking or sane person would resort to. According to ethical thinking such abuses, which are aimed at mental and physical intimidation are often used by persons who are attempting to defame, humiliate, and destroy the self-esteem of another.

Abuse in its many forms have been defined as emotional and verbal. Mental abuse is the intentional infliction of anguish degradation , fear or distress; personal abuse when action is taken to purposely cause mental or physical pain; physical abuse means the intentional use of force that may result in bodily injury or pain and sexual abuse includes unwanted or inappropriate touching, rape, sodomy, sexual coercion, sexually explicit photographing, and sexual harassment.

Abuse of elders can include all or one special form of abuse .Presently in California a great deal of attention has been paid to eliminate elder abuse by creating awareness programs, establishment of Adult Protective Services and through various legislative enactments to protect the elder.

We often read of such abusers arrested and charged by the law enforcement authorities particularly because an authority is available to carry out investigations and take action or direct police action in instances of abuse.

Unfortunately in the other cases of abuse, such methods of easy recourse to a central authority is lacking and as such abuse of elders continues unreported and not punished.

Every year, a number of elders are abused in their own homes, in relatives’ homes, and even in establishments responsible for their care. As elders become more physically frail, they are less able to stand up to bullying and or fight back if attacked. They may not see or hear as well or think as clearly as they used to, leaving openings for unscrupulous people to take advantage of them. Elder abuse tends to take place where the senior lives: most often in the home where abusers are apt to be adult children; Abuse of elders takes many different forms, some involving intimidation or threats against the elderly, some involving neglect, and others involving financial extortion.

Greater awareness should be provided by the authorities on how elder abuse could be prevented so that in the reality of an abusive situation when a person is at the receiving end he or she should be able to contact some authority established for this purpose who could speedily assist them and provide the necessary punitive action.

Steven Peck’s Premier Legal can be contacted toll free 24 hours a day at 1.866.999.9085 to talk to an experienced elder abuse lawyer and visit us on line at www.premierlegal.org.

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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.