ATTORNEY NEWSLETTER
California Attorney General Lists Warning Signs
Identifying And Reporting
Act On Any Suspicion Of Abuse
Elder Abuse is a prevalent and widespread issue across the country that threatens vulnerable members of our communities. In California alone, there are more than 200,000 reported cases of elder and dependent adult abuse every year. California Attorney General Rob Bonta recently released tips to identify and report elder abuse. Bonta encourages anyone who witnesses or suspects elder abuse to come forward. Along with reporting abuse to authorities, families can help their loved ones by contacting legal counsel to represent victims in pursuing their claims against abusers. The common warning signs outlined by Bonta are listed below. If you believe you or a loved one has been the victim of elder abuse in San Mateo County or elsewhere in California, call us today at (415)441-8669. Our toll-free number is 1-888-50EVANS (888-503-8267).
What are Common Signs of Elder Abuse?
Here are important warning signs Attorney General Bonta shares for elders, their families, and friends to help identify and prevent abuse:
- Neglect and Abandonment: Dehydration, malnutrition, untreated bed sores, and poor personal hygiene. Hazardous or unsafe living condition/arrangements. Unsanitary and unclean living conditions.
- Financial Exploitation: Sudden changes in bank accounts or banking practices. Unauthorized withdrawal of the elder’s funds using the elder’s ATM card. Abrupt changes in a will or other financial documents.
- Psychological: Being emotionally upset or agitated, extremely withdrawn, non- communicative or non-responsive. Exhibiting a change in sleeping patterns or eating habits. Personality changes, such as apologizing excessively, or depression or anxiety.
- Sexual Abuse: Bruises around the breasts or genital area, unexplained venereal disease, or genital infections. Changes in a senior’s demeanor, such as showing fear or becoming withdrawn when a specific person is near. Blood found on sheets, linens or a senior’s clothing.
- Physical Abuse: Bruises, black eyes, welts, lacerations, sprains, dislocations, fractures, broken bones, or internal injuries/bleeding. Broken eyeglasses or frames, physical signs of being subjected to punishment, or signs of being restrained. Laboratory findings of medication overdose or underutilization of prescribed drugs.
Contact Us
If you detect any of these warning signs of abuse and have suspicions based on other grounds, be sure and act. Abusers do not stop on their own and vulnerable seniors cannot defend themselves in most cases against any form of abusive conduct. Report any abuse to the authorities, but also reach out to counsel. Ingrid M. Evans represents elder and dependent adults in San Mateo County or elsewhere in California who are victims of any kind of elder or dependent adult abuse. Ingrid can be reached at (415) 441-8669 or TOLL FREE 1-888-80EVANS (888-503-8267), or email us at <a href=”mailto:info@evanslaw.com”>info@evanslaw.com</a>.
