Elder Abuse

We should respect our elders and treat them with the same kindness they showed when we were very young. However, too many people have no values and abuse senior citizens. While we all know about physical and verbal abuse, some seniors also have to deal with neglect and financial abuse. With the population aging and so many additional elder abuse cases, many counties (including LA county) has set up a special elder abuse section in their DA’s office. Many towns and counties have programs to counsel seniors including sessions at senior centers where police officers advise the elderly on how to spot and protect themselves from abuse. Many states and cities have set up minimum requirements for car in nursing homes and established better and easier ways to report abuse and protect our seniors.

Seniors are prime targets of criminals for financial abuse because many are lonely, can be easily misled or confused and have more assets than the average citizen. Besides trying to win the older persons trust, some criminal will threaten vulnerable seniors with physical harm if they do not turn over assets to the thief. Telemarketers are also adept at convincing the elderly that they should purchase their products or invest in their schemes. The sad thing is that many seniors suffer abuse at the hands of their relatives.

It is important to establish a good relation with a lawyer or law firm when you are younger, to help protect both yours and your assets as you age. Disability can occur without warning, so planning is essential. You need to delegate the management of your affairs and the decision making to a trusted person in case you are unexpectedly incapacitated. You can choose to name different people to oversea your physical health and your financial assets. Seniors are typically advised to execute a health proxy and a living will to help ensure their medical wishes are carried out.

In the event of a major illness or the inability to make decisions for themselves, an attorney can have a court appointed guardian assigned who will only be concerned with the best interest of their client. You can use a durable powers of attorney or a living trust to help protect financial assets from greedy people around you.

Since the elderly are very susceptible to financial scams, there are a few different ways for your attorney to help you protect your financial assets. One of the best ways is to turn your assets into an annuity. This allows for a steady monthly stream of cash to pay your ongoing bills while minimizing the cash available for a senior to have stolen or misused. Your attorney can also arrange to have your bank accounts and credit cards monitored on a regular basis and request copies of your credit reports. Always have your attorney review any substantial legal contract before you sign.

One of the scariest things for the elderly is nursing home abuse. An elder abuse lawyer can help the senior or the family receive justice if a loved one is injured due to nursing home abuse. An attorney can advise you of the signs of nursing home abuse such as unexplained cuts or bruises, bed sores, sudden change in behavior, loss of personal possessions and the staff interfering with normal visits. You will want to find a safe happy environment for your loved ones to live their remaining years.