ATTORNEY NEWSLETTER
2 million and counting elders suffer from elder abuse every year in the United States. However, with elder abuse on the rise, and the fact that elder abuse are often not reported, the actual number can exceed 2 million.
Only one in 24 victims of elder abuse will report it. Financial elder abuse is even worse – only one in 44 victims will report financial elder abuse. The reason for such low numbers of elder abuse reporting is that the elders often feel ashamed of themselves for becoming victims. Even more problematic, the majority of abusers are family members and loved ones, according to the National Center on Elder Abuse. However, elder abuse can come from anyone and anywhere. Furthermore, even if the elder abuse is reported, the elder may ultimately drop charges because they cannot bear to see his or her loved one suffering.
Elder abuse is a serious problem. In order to combat the rising and unmentioned elder abuse cases, the first step is to prevent elder abuse from happening. The best way to do this would be to keep in touch with your elderly loved ones. Don’t just visit every major holiday or once a month. Instead, call and visit them frequently. That way, you familiarize yourself with your loved ones’ habits and lifestyle so if anything changes, you can spot it right away. If you even suspect elder abuse is happening, report it. Elder abuse exists and shying away from the fact will only help to increase the problem.
If you or a loved one is suffering from elder abuse, contact Evans Law Firm, Inc. at 415-441-8669 or info@evanslaw.com for a free and confidential consultation with one of our experienced elder abuse attorneys. Evans Law Firm, Inc. handles physical and financial elder abuse, as well as various types of financial fraud cases and qui tam (whistleblower/false claims) litigation.
