ATTORNEY NEWSLETTER
Resolutions For The New Year
Best Wishes For A Healthy And Safe New Year
The attorneys at Evans Law Firm, Inc. wish everyone the best for 2024. At Evans Law Firm, Inc. we fight for the rights of individuals, especially the elderly, against unfair or illegal treatment and exploitation by others. Sadly, seniors can be financially exploited by caregivers and others whom they had trusted would take care of them, not exploit or abuse them. All seniors, male or female, rich or poor, single or married, straight or LGBTQIA+, are potential victims of all forms of elder abuse and neglect, including financial elder abuse. Social isolation and economic downturns are real breeding grounds for abuse of older Americans and throughout the country and here in California financial exploitation of the elderly is especially on the rise. Persons suffering cognitive decline and members of the LGBTQIA+ community are especially at risk. In the coming year, we encourage you to do all you can for your older loved ones, neighbors, and friends. If you suspect elder abuse of any kind, including financial elder abuse, call the elder abuse attorneys at Evans Law Firm at (415)441-8669. Our toll-free number is 1-888-80EVANS (888-503-8267). We represent senior victims of financial or physical abuse or neglect throughout California.
Protecting Senior Loved Ones and Friends in 2024
Here are some important steps you can take in the New Year to protect older loved ones, friends, and neighbors:
- Learn the signs of elder abuse such as new “friends,” advisors, or caregivers who seem to be taking over a senior’s life.
- Do a background check on any strangers you allow to enter a senior’s home, especially as caregivers. Ask for references and check them, every time.
- Prevent isolation. Call or visit our older loved ones and ask how they are doing on a regular basis. Get them out and about as often and as safely as you can.
- Don’t let a caregiver or new “friend” of an older loved one try to control access to them. Often caregivers or others who are exploiting a senior will try and block calls and visits – they don’t want you to speak with their victim one-on-one.
- Monitor an older loved one’s accounts online. Check the accounts every day. Make sure no caregiver or other person has online access to the accounts. Have statements mailed to your own address so caregivers and others at your loved one’s home can’t go through the mail.
- Never ever allow a senior to grant a Power of Attorney to a caregiver.
- Do background checks on anyone you hire to help your senior loved one before you let them in your loved one’s home.
- Keep ATM cards and credit cards in a safe place and away from the reach of any caregiver or other strangers who may enter a senior’s home or apartment or room in any facility.
- Encourage old friends and other family members and church/synagogue groups to check in by phone. The more support surrounding a senior, the more protected they are from abusers.
Red Flags
Be attentive to all your older loved ones and friends throughout the coming year. Here are some signs that may indicate elder abuse is taking place:
- Unusual changes in behavior or sleep
- Fear or anxiety
- Isolated or not responsive
- Depression
- Broken bones, bruises and welts
- Cuts or burns
- Untreated bed sores/pressure wounds
- Torn, stained or bloody underclothing
- Dirtiness, poor nutrition or dehydration
- Poor living conditions
- Lack of medical aids (glasses, walker, teeth, hearing aid, medications)
- Unusual changes in bank account or money management
- Unusual or sudden changes in a will or other financial documents
- Fraudulent signatures on financial documents
- Unpaid bills
We urge readers to be sure to watch out for the welfare of the older people in our lives all year long.
Contact Us
Ingrid M. Evans represents seniors throughout California against any individuals or business who abuse them or financially exploit them. If you need help, call Ingrid and our other attorneys today at (415) 441-8669, or by email at <a href=”mailto:info@evanslaw.com”>info@evanslaw.com</a>. We handle cases involving physical and financial elder abuse, qui tam and whistleblower law, nursing home abuse, whole life insurance and universal life insurance, and indexed, variable, and fixed annuities.
