Elder Abuse

Elderly adults in nursing homes are often in a position of vulnerability — they may be frail, ill, or without adequate help from friends and family. They depend on the professionalism and care of nursing home facilities. Unfortunately, each year hundreds of nursing home residents suffer from abuse, neglect, and exploitation at the hands of the very nursing home professionals they entrust their safety to. In cases of this sort of betrayal, it is important for survivors to get help from qualified Hollywood nursing home attorneys, who can represent nursing home residents in court and get them the quality of care they deserve.

Elder abuse can involve physical or sexual abuse, which can lead to serious personal injury. Abuse against the elderly can also include emotional or psychological abuse. Another common form of elderly abuse involves exploitation. Neglect is also a common form of abuse. It can include withholding basic care, food, and other necessities.

The following descriptions are not necessarily proof of abuse, neglect, or exploitation. But they may be clues that a problem exists.

Physical Signs

• Injury that has not been cared for properly
• Injury that is inconsistent with explanation for its cause
• Pain from touching
• Cuts, puncture wounds, burns, bruises, welts
• Dehydration or malnutrition without illness-related cause
• Poor coloration
• Sunken eyes or cheeks
• Inappropriate administration of medication
• Soiled clothing or bed
• Frequent use of hospital or health care/doctor-shopping
• Lack of necessities such as food, water, or utilities
• Lack of personal effects, pleasant living environment, personal items
• Forced isolation

Behavioral Signs

• Fear
• Anxiety, agitation
• Anger
• Isolation, withdrawal Depression
• Non-responsiveness, resignation, ambivalence
• Contradictory statements, implausible stories
• Hesitation to talk openly
• Confusion or disorientation

Signs by Caregiver

• Prevents elder from speaking to or seeing visitors
• Anger, indifference, aggressive behavior toward elder
• History of substance abuse, mental illness, criminal behavior, or family violence
• Lack of affection toward elder
• Flirtation or coyness as possible indicator of inappropriate sexual relationships
• Conflicting accounts of incidents
• Withholds affection
• Talks of elder as a burden

Signs of Financial Abuse

• Frequent expensive gifts from elder to caregiver
• Elder's personal belongings, papers, credit cards missing
• Numerous unpaid bills
• A recent will when elder seems incapable of writing will
• Caregiver's name added to bank account
• Elder unaware of monthly income
• Elder signs on loan
• Frequent checks made out to "cash"
• Unusual activity in bank account
• Irregularities on tax return
• Elder unaware of reason for appointment with banker or attorney
• Caregiver's refusal to spend money on elder
• • Signatures on checks or legal documents that do not resemble elder's signature

If you or a loved one have suffered from elder abuse, call the Law Offices of Flaxman Law Group to speak to a nursing home abuse attorney in Hollywood or your community. Our qualified Florida attorneys have experience in elderly abuse cases and we can help ensure that the survivor of the abuse gets the help and assistance they are entitled to by law. If you know of an elderly person who may be suffering from abuse, contact us online today or call 866-352-9626. We can set up a complimentary, no-obligation consultation to discuss your options.