ATTORNEY NEWSLETTER
World Elder Abuse Awareness Month
Staying In Touch More Important Than Ever
Steps For Protecting Seniors
June is World Elder Abuse Awareness Month built around June 15, which was made World Elder Abuse Awareness Day in 2006 by the International Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse and the World Health Organization at the United Nations. Earlier this week, Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) and Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) introduced a resolution recognizing June as National Elder Abuse Awareness Month and standing in support of seniors who’ve been victim to fraud schemes. The resolution applauds the Elder Justice Coalition’s work to increase public awareness of elder abuse and calls on those working with older adults to learn the signs of abuse and promote long-term prevention efforts.
“Too many of our nation’s seniors are victims of physical abuse, emotional exploitation, and financial scams. Senior citizens deserve peace of mind, support, and care—not the anxiety and fear that comes with the threat of elder abuse. This resolution reaffirms our commitment to our senior citizens and advocating for their safety, rights, and wellbeing,” Senator Blumenthal said.
As many as 1 in 10 older adults is abused or neglected each year in the United States, and only 1 in 14 cases of elder abuse ever comes to the attention of authorities. Statistics also show that older women are more likely to be victimized and mistreated, and the abuse is most often perpetrated by a family member. Individuals who live with dementia, a mental health diagnosis, issues related to substance abuse, or are socially isolated are also more likely than others to be at risk for elder abuse. Evans Law Firm, Inc. fights for elder abuse victims in the San Francisco Bay Area and throughout California against those responsible for abuse. If you or someone you know is the victim of elder abuse here in the San Francisco Bay Area or elsewhere in California, call us today at 415-441-8669. Our toll-free number is 1-888-50EVANS (888-503-8267).
Warning Signs Of Elder Abuse
The warning signs that someone may be experiencing elder abuse can vary depending on the type of abuse. However, here are a few things to be on the lookout for:
Bruises or other signs of physical trauma, such as burns or blisters
Pressure wounds/bedsores which indicate that a bedridden or wheelchair bound senior is being neglected
Difficulty sitting or moving due to injury to the pelvic area
Withdrawal from normal activities, unexplained anxiety or unusual behavior
Unattended medical needs, unusual weight loss, poor hygiene, or bedsores
Sudden changes in bank accounts, altered wills, or unusual bank withdrawals or checks written as loans or gifts
Take Action Against Elder Abuse
Here are some steps you can take this year to really help those older persons in need:
- Engage with older people by contacting older loved ones, neighbors, and friends not only today but throughout the coming year. Involvement in an elderly person’s life is the best way to protect them from abuse.
- Ask a senior if you can help by delivering some groceries or medications or just visiting them (safely) for a while each week.
- Ask any church, synagogue or social group you are connect with to add information about financial elder abuse to their newsletters and information resources lists.
- Share World Elder Abuse Awareness Month with your friends on social media to spread awareness of elder abuse.
- Involve young people by teaching and encouraging them to respect the dignity of older persons and volunteer to help isolated seniors by friendly caller programs, sending cards or letters to older persons and running errands for them
- Safely get involved with organizations that focus on elder advocacy.
Contact Us
If you or a loved one been the victim of any form of elder abuse in the San Francisco Bay Area and throughout California, contact Evans Law Firm, Inc. and Ingrid M. Evans at (415) 441-8669, or toll-free at 1-888-50EVANS (888-503-8267)or by email at <a href=”mailto:info@evanslaw.com”>info@evanslaw.com</a>. Our attorneys have experience with all types of elder abuse, including physical and financial elder abuse, investment and securities fraud and annuity fraud. We can help guide your case through a jury trial, or toward an equitable settlement. We handle cases involving physical and financial elder abuse, qui tam and whistleblower law, nursing home abuse, whole life insurance and universal life insurance, and indexed, variable, and fixed annuities.
