ATTORNEY NEWSLETTER
Message Comes On Elder Abuse Awareness Day
Common Warning Signs Of Elder Abuse
Act On Any Suspicion Of Abuse
On Elder Abuse Awareness Day (June 15 every year), California Attorney General Rob Bonta provided Californians with tips to identify and report elder abuse. Elder Abuse is a national issue that threatens some of the most vulnerable members of our communities — according to figures by the U.S. Department of Justice, at least 10% of adults age 65 and older will be a victim of elder abuse in a given year. Attorney General Bonta has outlined some common warning signs to help the families of elderly individuals identify abuse, and urges anyone who witnesses or suspects elder abuse to come forward and report elder mistreatment. Reporting abuse to the authorities is important but also contact counsel who can represent victims and their families in pursuing all responsible parties and all available remedies including awards of attorneys’ fees and expenses for bringing the action. Cal. Welf. & Inst. Code §§ 15657 and 15657.5. If you or a loved one has been the victim of elder abuse in San Francisco or elsewhere in California, call us today at (415)441-8669. Our toll-free number is 1-888-50EVANS (888-503-8267).
“Sadly, whether it’s due to fear of retaliation, or worse, many of our elders don’t talk about the abuse they’ve endured” said Attorney General Bonta. “Elder abuse can take many insidious forms, including the neglect of a caregiver, financial exploitation and sexual, physical, and mental abuse. Too often, the perpetrators of these egregious actions are those we trust the most to take care of our loved ones. Our elders should never suffer, especially in silence.”
What are Common Signs of Elder Abuse?
Here are important warning signs Attorney General Bonta shares for elders, their families, and friends to help identify and prevent abuse:
- Neglect and Abandonment: Dehydration, malnutrition, untreated bed sores, and poor personal hygiene. Hazardous or unsafe living condition/arrangements. Unsanitary and unclean living conditions.
- Financial Exploitation: Sudden changes in bank accounts or banking practices. Unauthorized withdrawal of the elder’s funds using the elder’s ATM card. Abrupt changes in a will or other financial documents.
- Psychological: Being emotionally upset or agitated, extremely withdrawn, non- communicative or non-responsive. Exhibiting a change in sleeping patterns or eating habits. Personality changes, such as apologizing excessively, or depression or anxiety.
- Sexual Abuse: Bruises around the breasts or genital area, unexplained venereal disease, or genital infections. Changes in a senior’s demeanor, such as showing fear or becoming withdrawn when a specific person is near. Blood found on sheets, linens or a senior’s clothing.
- Physical Abuse: Bruises, black eyes, welts, lacerations, sprains, dislocations, fractures, broken bones, or internal injuries/bleeding. Broken eyeglasses or frames, physical signs of being subjected to punishment, or signs of being restrained. Laboratory findings of medication overdose or underutilization of prescribed drugs.
Contact Us
If you detect any of these warning signs of abuse and have suspicions based on other grounds, be sure and act. Abusers do not stop on their own and vulnerable seniors cannot defend themselves in most cases against any form of abusive conduct. Report any abuse to the authorities, but also reach out to counsel. Ingrid M. Evans represents elder and dependent adults in San Francisco or elsewhere in California who are victims of any kind of elder or dependent adult abuse. Ingrid can be reached at (415) 441-8669 or TOLL FREE 1-888-80EVANS (888-503-8267), or email us at <a href=”mailto:info@evanslaw.com”>info@evanslaw.com</a>.
