ATTORNEY NEWSLETTER

Abuse A Growing Crime Against Elders

Abuse By The Numbers

To think of one elder being abused is gut-wrenching, the total numbers even more so. Elder abuse has become an epidemic in this country. The number of elders being abuse is estimated at around 2.5 million every single year. Such statistics are heartbreaking and as the US population ages the figures are likely to become even more gruesome. We at Evans Law Firm represent elder abuse victims, including victims of nursing home abuse, and their loved ones every day. If you or someone you know if suffering from elder abuse or nursing home abuse, call Evans Law Firm today at 415-441-8669, and we can help.

Nursing Home Abuse

Of that staggering 2.5 million individuals, the vast majority of abused individuals live in nursing homes or other comparable care facilities. These elders are often the most vulnerable of them all, sometimes suffering from cognitive impairments such as Alzheimer’s or dementia. The escalating factors for nursing abuse vary, but there are some common situations and signs that can point toward abuse that can be detected and, hopefully, prevented.

An obvious sign of abuse in nursing homes and elsewhere are physical signs, such as bruises, scratches, and other similar marks on the body. Additionally, a sense of general hostility between residents and staff or even one resident and another resident can point toward abuse in the nursing home. Signs of emotional, sexual, and financial abuse can be a little less obvious to see, but just as important to catch. These may include: isolation, strange financial transactions or changes in major documents such as trusts and wills, and sheepishness, among other signs.

Protecting Yourself And Your Loved Ones

It is important to be vigilant about preventing elder abuse, both in the nursing homes in San Mateo County and beyond those facilities as well. Often, elders feel embarrassment or intimidation from the abuse, and these cases of abuse go unreported. Abuse of one elder is one too many. Prevention is the best first step to eradication of this horrible crime. And if you do suspect nursing home abuse, by all means report it to the nursing home administrator and Adult Protective Services. Do not be hesitant or intimidated by procedure. If you need the help of counsel, get it.

Contact Us

If you or a loved one is or has been the victim of financial or physical elder abuse or nursing home abuse in San Mateo County, or in any California county, contact the Evans Law Firm elder abuse and nursing home abuse attorneys at (415) 441-8669, or by email at info@evanslaw.com. We can help guide your case through a jury trial or toward an equitable settlement. 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.