As much as you want to protect your elderly family members, it’s likely that you can’t be with them 24 hours a day. If you have a job or young children, you may need to trust your parents or grandparents to an assisted living facility, an in-home nurse, or another family member. And while you don’t want to think that anyone would willfully harm a senior citizen, elder abuse happens all-too-frequently. However, if suspect that an elderly person in your life has experienced mistreatment, you can speak up on their behalf with the help of an experienced elder abuse attorney from Woods Law Office.
Types of Elder Abuse and Common Symptoms of Mistreatment
Sometimes caregivers get overly stressed and take out their frustrations on the seniors in their care. Or, dishonest individuals may take advantage of elderly people with physical or mental handicaps. Here are the most common types of elder abuse:
- Physical Harm: When a senior is pushed, kicked, punched, or slapped.
- Emotional Trauma: When a caregiver uses abusive language toward an elderly charge. They may also yell at, threaten, or ignore the senior.
- Neglect: When a senior who needs assistance is left alone for long periods of time.
- Financial Abuse: When a caregiver or family member takes advantage of an elderly person’s bank accounts, Social Security benefits, or banking accounts.
- Healthcare Fraud: When healthcare workers overcharge or double bill seniors for services provided.
If you suspect elder abuse, here are the signs to look out for when observing your aging loved one:
- Unexplained bruises, broken bones, scratches, or burns.
- Sudden insomnia.
- Increased depression or confusion.
- Unexplained weight loss.
- Sudden withdrawal from friends and family members.
- An overall disheveled appearance – dirty clothes, unwashed hair, etc.
- An explained dip in their bank account or an excessively large credit card bill.
If you do notice anything suspicious, contact Woods Law Office immediately. Then, a dedicated elder care attorney will help you stop the abuse and ensure that your loved one’s rights are protected.
Contact Woods Law Office for the Best in Michigan Elder Law Advocacy
At Woods Law Office, our job is to protect seniors. We handle elder abuse, asset protection, power of attorney issues, estate planning, and more. Get in touch with an attorney for elderly care now by calling (586) 532-8970 or reaching out to us through the contact form on our website.
