ATTORNEY NEWSLETTER
Elder Abuse by Caregivers
Elder Abuse and Neglect can be Deadly
Caregiver abuse of the elderly can be deadly. In a recent California criminal case,[1] law enforcement arrested a 62-year-old woman on charges of suspected elder abuse. The woman was allegedly the caregiver and girlfriend of an 80-year-old man found dead in his apartment earlier this week. An investigation is ongoing and an autopsy will be conducted to determine the exact cause of the elderly man’s death. The San Francisco and California elder abuse attorneys at Evans Law Firm, Inc. represent seniors victimized by devastating physical and financial elder abuse by caregivers and others. If you or someone you know is a victim of elder abuse in the City of San Francisco or elsewhere in California, call us today at 415-441-8669, and we can help.
The San Francisco Human Services Agency Adult Protective Services unit maintains two 24/7 hotlines for elder abuse at (415)355-6700 and (800) 814-0009. Report suspicions of elder abuse to the police and Adult Protective Services immediately and call qualified elder abuse counsel. While official reporting is important, you should pursue all civil remedies available to senior victims under California elder abuse laws. Our lawyers handle elder abuse cases of all varieties and know the remedies and extra damages to which you and your victimized loved one are entitled. Bringing a timely civil action against abusers can secure justice for an injured senior. California courts award attorneys’ fees to victimized seniors in certain cases and this can ease the burden of bringing a suit.
On its website, the San Francisco Human Services Agency identifies the potential types of elder abuse to watch out for with a senior loved one or friend:
Physical abuse includes slapping, hitting, bruising, beating or any other intentional act that causes someone physical pain, injury or suffering. Physical abuse also includes excessive forms of restraint used to confine someone against their will (i.e., tying, chaining or locking someone in a room). Physical abuse may also include overmedication, administering dangerous combinations of drugs, and failure to get prompt medical attention or deliberately missing medical appointments.
Emotional abuse is threatening, intimidating or humiliating an individual and causing them emotional pain, distress or anguish. Emotional abuse can be verbal or non-verbal; it includes insults, yelling and threats of harm or isolation.
Sexual abuse is any sexual activity to which the older or dependent adult does not consent or is incapable of consenting. Non-consensual sexual activity includes everything from exhibitionism to sexual intercourse.
Financial or material exploitation is when someone misuses, mishandles or exploits the elderly or dependent adult’s property, possessions or financial assets. This includes using those assets without the individual’s consent or manipulating the older or dependent adult for the financial benefit or material gain of another.
Neglect takes place when, intentionally or unintentionally, a caregiver fails to support the physical, emotional and social needs of the elder or dependent adult. Neglect can include denying food or medication, health services or contact with friends and family. Neglect is the most common form of elder mistreatment in domestic settings. Bed sores/pressure wounds are one extremely dangerous sign of neglect by a caregiver. Injuries sustained when wandering off (known as elopement) are another sign of serious neglect and can result in death for the disoriented senior.
Abandonment occurs when a caregiver deserts an elderly or dependent person.
Isolation means any of the following:
- Acts intentionally committed for the purpose of preventing, or that serve to prevent, an elder or dependent adult from receiving his or her mail or telephone calls.
- Telling a caller or prospective visitor that an elder or dependent adult is not present, or does not wish to talk with the caller, or does not wish to meet with the visitor where the statement is false, is contrary to the express wishes of the elder or the dependent adult, whether he or she is competent or not, and is made for the purpose of preventing the elder or dependent adult from having contact with family, friends, or concerned persons.
- False imprisonment, as defined in Section 236 of the Penal Code.
- Physical restraint of an elder or dependent adult, for the purpose of preventing the elder or dependent from meeting with visitors.
[1] Evans Law Firm, Inc. was not involved in the case in any way.
