Davis Law Group, P.S.

What is Elder Abuse?

Thousands of elderly people are abused every year. Abuse takes place in their own homes, in relatives’ homes, and in nursing homes that are “caring” for them. Based on physical and/or behavioral observations, you may wonder if the senior is being abused. If you learn the signs and symptoms to look for, you can be more confident in reporting the abuse.

More than half a million reports about elderly people are reported every year. Millions go unreported. Since they are old, they are unable to physically defend themselves.

There are several types of elder abuse. These types include physical abuse, emotional abuse, sexual abuse, neglect or abandonment by caregivers, financial exploitation, and healthcare fraud and abuse.

Physical: Force against an elderly person that causes them physical pain, injury or impairment. Physical abuse can include the inappropriate use of drugs, restraints or confinement.

Emotional: This includes intimidation through yelling or threats, humiliation and ridicule, and habitual blaming. Nonverbal psychological abuse can include ignoring the person, isolating the elder from friends or activities, terrorizing or menacing.

Sexual: Any contact with the senior without their consent. Involving sexual acts, pornography, forcing them to watch sexual content, and/forcing them to undress.

Neglect: Failure to do the tasks as a caregiver. This can be intentional or passive abuse.

Financial exploitation: The unauthorized use of the elderly person’s funds or property. Examples include, misusing checks, credit cards or accounts, stealing cash or anything of value, forging signatures and even identity theft. Senior citizens are sometimes targeted for financial exploitations, such as phony charities and investment frauds.

Healthcare fraud and abuse: Healthcare practices by unethical doctors, nurses, hospital personnel, and other professionals in healthcare. Examples include, not providing healthcare services but charging for it, overcharging, over medicating, recommending fraudulent remedies for illness and Medicaid fraud.

If your loved one has been the victim of elder abuse, contact Seattle nursing home abuse attorney Chris Davis for a free consultation, (206) 727-4000.