Elder Abuse Signs and Symptoms in OC California

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Signs and Symptoms of Elder Abuse in California

Elder Abuse Signs and Symptoms in OC CA: In California, it is a crime to be aware of elder abuse and to do nothing about it. In order to help protect the elderly in our community, it is important to be aware of and to recognize the signs and symptoms of elder abuse.

What is Elder Abuse in California?

Elder abuse can include any type of neglect, mistreatment, or exploitation of a person who is considered an elder, or someone who is at least 65 years old. It can also include dependent adults who are between 18 and 64 years old.

Abuse can be physical, psychological, verbal, or sexual. Abuse includes things like violence, isolation, abandonment, neglect, abduction, or more. Elder abuse also includes financial abuse and other crimes, like identity theft.

The Basics of Physical Elder Abuse

The Basics of Physical Elder Abuse in OC California

Elder abuse includes physical abuse. This can be physically hitting, shoving, or kicking an elder person, or it can include things like sexual assault or physically restraining an elder for punishment either without a doctor’s order or beyond what the doctor has approved. When it comes to sexual assault with an elder, it includes any contact without the elder’s consent, unwanted pornographic viewing, or having the person undress with no reason.

 

Physical abuse is the intentional use of force on an elderly person, resulting in physical pain, physical injury, or physical impairment.

If you notice signs of physical abuse, it is important to report these to the authorities. Signs of physical abuse can include the following:

• Weight loss that cannot be explained - this can be a sign of malnutrition or dehydration,
• Physical injuries, especially those that do not match their explanations. This includes things like unexplained bruises, fractures, broken bones, scrapes, scratches, etc.,
• Bruises on the inner arm or inner thigh or torn or bloody undergarments can be signs of sexual abuse,
• Bruises or burns with a shape similar to a known object, like a cigarette shaped burn, a belt shaped welt or bruise, or a hand shaped bruise, etc.,
• Injuries in one location at various stages of healing that may indicate repeated injuries,
• Scratches, cuts, marks from pinches, marks or bruises from choking, welts, burns, sprains, punctures, dislocations, fractures, or bedsores,
• A caregiver refusing to allow visitors, even for a short time may indicate that the elder has obvious physical injuries,
• Untreated medical conditions,
• Matted or uncombed hair, dirty clothes or a foul smell indicating poor personal hygiene,
• Any unusual physical signs that may indicate abuse.

The Basics of Emotional or Mental Elder Abuse

The Basics of Emotional or Mental Elder Abuse

Elder abuse also includes verbal, mental and emotional abuse. This usually constitutes things like threatening, intimidating, yelling, humiliating, blaming, ignoring, or terrorizing an elder through certain treatment or behaviors that cause emotional pain or distress.

If you notice any of the following signs of emotional abuse, it is important to get help for the elder.

• If you witness any belittling talk from a caregiver report it immediately;
• If the elder is displaying behaviors like rocking back and forth or mumbling, it may be a sign of emotional abuse;
• If the elder refuses to speak in front of certain people or refuses to speak if certain people are not present;
• If the elder is inexplicably depressed;
• If the elder seems unusually frightened or secretive;
• If the elder seems especially helpless, angry, confused, withdrawn, or forgetful, etc.

The Basics of Elder Abuse by Neglect, Abandonment or Isolation

The Basics of Elder Abuse by Neglect, Abandonment or Isolation in Newport Beach

When an elder is in the care of another person, it is the caregiver’s responsibility to provide food, shelter, and water, to give emotional support, to ensure that the elder’s hygiene is properly maintained, has proper medical care, has protection from health and safety hazards, and that the elder has access to communication with friends and family.

This type of abuse includes failing to fulfill caregiver obligations and is the most common type of elder abuse that takes place. It may be intentional or unintentional. If you see any of the following signs of abuse, report it immediately.

• If the elder loses weight quickly, is underfed or dehydrated;
• Bedsores can be a sign that an elder has been ignored;
• If you cannot reach the elder person for any amount of time, it is considered abuse;
• An elder who was left in a public place alone may have been abandoned;
• Unsafe or unlivable conditions, or a home with no heat, faulty electrical wiring, fire hazards, or no running water;
• If the elder has not been bathed or has dirty clothing.

The Basics of Financial Elder Abuse

The Basics of Financial Elder Abuse

Financial abuse is also considered elder abuse. The illegal or unethical exploitation of, or use of an elder’s funds, property, or other assets without his or her consent is financial abuse. Either a caregiver or an outside party can abuse an elder financially in many ways, like misusing personal checks, credit cards or financial accounts, stealing money or property, forging signatures, or stealing the elder’s identity.

An elder person who faces financial abuse may not be aware of it, but signs can include the following.

• The elder may be aware of the abuse, and act frightened, secretive, depressed, withdrawn, or helpless,
• Unusual bank account activity, like withdrawing money from an ATM that the elder does not have access to,
• Signatures on checks or legal documents that do not match the elder’s signature,
• Any signatures that were made when the elder was not mentally capable of making decisions,
• Purchasing items that the elder cannot use, or an unusual change in spending,
• Unpaid bills when a person has been designated to pay the elder’s bills,
• Missing items that the elder could use and may need but does not have,
• A caretaker who is unnecessarily supported by the elder,
• Items are missing from the elder’s home, etc.

Elder Abuse Attorneys for Elder Abuse Signs and Symptoms in OC, CA

In Summary, elder abuse signs and symptoms are often more challenging to detect. The reason it is difficult to detect elder abuse is because some of the elderly individuals do not report abuse that has happened to them, or abuse that they have witnessed. Reasons as to why the elderly do not report elder abuse varies. Some believe it is because they do not have the proper information and resources. Without the proper resources or information they do not know who to report the abuse to. In addition, they are not aware of the types of abuse that are prevalent in the elderly community.

Elder Abuse Signs and Symptoms

Elder Abuse Signs and Symptoms

Elder abuse can range from physical, emotional, financial, and neglect. Physical abuse is easier to detect in comparison to other forms of elder abuse. If physical abuse has been inflicted upon the elderly individual marks may be present. The marks can range from burns, bruises, scratches, scars, and more. It is more challenging to have signs of emotional abuse. Emotional abuse can be threats or harsh comments that the elderly individuals are subjected to. The best way to observe emotional abuse would be to visit the nursing facility where the elderly individual resides. Moreover, if at anytime the elderly individual appears to be scared of their caretaker, this is a red flag. If their is an elderly individual that you know and love, it is helpful to check in on them frequently. With open lines of communication we are able to offer the elderly community the resources they need to seek aid.

If you would like to take the next steps toward retaining an elder law attorney please schedule an initial consultation today. For additional information regarding elder abuse or elder law please contact your local Elder Law Attorney's. Please call Yanez & Associates at 714-971-8000 for your free initial consultation. We look forward to assisting you with your elder law matter.

Elder Abuse Signs and Symptoms in OC California

If you are aware of elder abuse taking place in California, it is your responsibility to report it. If you aren’t sure how, or if you suspect that a loved one is facing abuse, contact a family law attorney in Southern California as soon as possible. The attorneys at Yanez & Associates are here to help. Contact us today to schedule your free initial consultation.

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