Caregiver Abuse Rising As Boomers Become Seniors

Caregiving

With our largest generation of individuals now reaching the age of “senior,” elderly care will become a very important professional niche. Currently there are somewhere around 44 million individuals assisting and/or giving care to a senior today. And that number will grow in the coming decade. It isn’t just so much the number of people needed as the quality that is our concern. Caregivers hold an important position, and choosing a caregiver should be one of the most vetted and careful decisions that a family can make. Sadly, studies show that 1 in 10 elders is abused by their caregiver.

Caregiver Abuse

There is no one universal reason that some caregivers abuse the senior they are tending to. Yet, one of the most common reasons that caregivers lash out at their elder is frustration that sometimes stems from the feeling that they were forced into a situation that they did not consent to. This relates more frequently to family members who take on or are obligated to take on the role of caring for an elder in their family or otherwise. This situation, as mentioned, can lead to a buildup of anger that can manifest itself as abuse.

Another reason for caregiver abuse can be financial. Sometimes caregivers, whether hired or dedicated family members, feel entitled to the senior’s money. Other times, these individuals simply realize that they are able to take advantage of these often vulnerable and generous seniors, who would give any amount of money to feel safe and protected by their caregiver, as they are allowing them to live their life still comfortably in their own home while they age.

One final potential reason for caregiver abuse might be more innocent. Studies show that a lack of training can be a negative factor, as caregivers are simply undereducated and underprepared to be taking care of an elder, whether a family member or stranger.

Solutions

We recommend that you screen heavily before picking a caregiver. Call their references, and hire from a company, if at all possible. If your family member elects to take care of your elderly loved one, check in on them often and be sure that the burden is not too much for them to carry alone. Additionally, there are online and in-person classes to educate caregivers on their responsibility and daily tasks. This will make them a more informed and professional caregiver, and this can make all the difference in the life of a senior.

Contact Us

If you or a loved one has been the victim of caregiver abuse or fraud in San Mateo County or in any California county, contact the Evans Law Firm elder attorneys at (415) 441-8669, or by email at info@evanslaw.com. Our attorneys have experience with complex financial contracts and large insurance companies. 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.