Things to Look For to Protect Elderly Loved Ones
Many signs of elder abuse are very obvious, and others are not noticeable. Therefore, it is important that you know some of the most common warning signs for elder abuse. These warning signs are not sure indications, but they may help you if you know what things to look for to protect elderly loved ones from abuse.
Warning Signs
If the person is suffering from physical abuse, there will be some obvious clues and indications. This is the easiest type of abuse to see. It may include bruises, broken bones, and burns or other physical signs of trauma. Often, the person will deny the bruises were inflicted by their abuser. They may say that they have fallen, but if you see issues often, you may want to consider whether it is abuse or not.
Neglect may also be easy to spot if you start to notice bedsores, poor hygiene, and weight loss that comes rapidly. In short, if it does not look right to you, you may want to look into it further.
Emotional Abuse
If you hear the caregiver use belittling comments, threats, or other things, then it could be an emotional abuse situation. The elderly person, may seem depressed, tense, and withdrawal from normal activities that they usually enjoy. You may also hear frequent arguments between the caregiver and the elderly person.
The Effects of Elderly Abuse
If you suspect that an elderly loved one is being abused, you have an obligation to try and get help for them. Otherwise, you could be hurting your loved one. Abused elderly have a 300% higher risk of death because of abuse and depression or being unable to care for themselves. If it is financial abuse that they are dealing with, they will join a group of elderly that loses out on more than $36.5 billion dollars a year. This can lead to depression and the loss of a desire to live.
Penalties for Abusers
Every state has their own penalties for anyone who abuses an elderly person. To discover what penalties someone may face in your area, you need to research the rules for your state or contact an agency that can help you investigate an elder abuse situation. No matter who the abuser may be, abuse is wrong, fraud is wrong, and all are punishable by jail time and more.