Elder Abuse
elder abuse in florida
Seniors who experience abuse will often exhibit signs of anxiety, depression, or confusion. The key to preventing or identifying elder abuse is to stay as involved in your relative’s life as possible.
There are at least six major types of elder abuse:
- Physical: The use of physical force that results in bodily injury
- Sexual: Nonconsensual sexual contact
- Emotional: Infliction of pain or anguish through verbal or non-verbal attacks
- Financial exploitation: Illegal or improper use of funds or assets
- Neglect: Failure to fulfill the obligations of caring for someone
- Abandonment: Occurs when a person who is primarily responsible for the elderly person deserts them.
If you are concerned that your elderly relative may be the victim of abuse, here are some signs that you should look for: Unexplained cuts or bruises; sudden malnourishment, poor hygiene, an unexplained loss of money and/or isolation from family members or friends.
The more present you are in your elderly relative’s life, the more unlikely it is for abuse to fly under the radar.
It’s also a good idea to develop a plan to work with your family members as a team to share the responsibility of conducting regular wellness checks on your elderly relative, as elder abuse is also more prevalent among senior citizens in nursing homes and long-term care facilities.
We provide support for families who believe a loved one has been the victim of elder abuse. If you feel your loved one has been a victim of elder abuse, contact us.
