What Should You Do If You Suspect Elder Abuse?
Nov. 22, 2024
One of the most distressing issues we help manage is elder abuse. These situations usually cause emotional turmoil, as it touches the lives of our elderly loved ones, who deserve to feel safe, respected, and well cared for.
At Lewis & Van Sickle, LLC, we encounter many cases where individuals face challenging situations. Also, we’ve made it our mission to support families and individuals in Green Bay, Wisconsin, and the surrounding areas, including Oconto, Shawano, Kewaunee, and Sturgeon Bay, providing legal guidance in these matters.
If you suspect that an elderly loved one is experiencing abuse, it's crucial to take immediate action to protect their well-being. Our attorneys can explore the steps you can take to address elder abuse and assure the safety and security of your loved one.
Understanding Elder Abuse
Elder abuse can take various forms, from physical harm to financial exploitation and emotional manipulation. Preventing elder abuse requires both vigilance and timely action. Whether the abuse occurs in a residential facility, at home, or through financial exploitation, taking early steps can often make a significant difference.
Elder abuse is often a hidden issue, sometimes unnoticed even by family members. Recognizing the signs of elder abuse and addressing them early is key to determining the safety of your loved one.
Speak with a knowledgeable elder law attorney to get legal assistance for you and your loved one.
Recognize the Signs of Elder Abuse
The first step in addressing elder abuse is to know what to look for. Here are some common indicators of elder abuse:
Physical abuse: Look for unexplained bruises, cuts, or injuries. If the elder seems fearful or reluctant to discuss how they were hurt, this could be a red flag. Repeated injuries in the same area, or injuries that appear inconsistent with the elder’s reported cause, may indicate a pattern of abuse.
Emotional abuse: Elders who seem withdrawn, anxious, or overly depressed could be experiencing emotional manipulation or isolation. Pay attention to changes in their personality or behavior. Emotional abuse often leads to a loss of confidence or self-worth, and the elder may seem unusually passive or reluctant to speak up.
Financial exploitation: Sudden changes in financial status, missing personal items, or an unexplained shift in their financial accounts can all point toward financial exploitation. If the elder is unable to explain recent financial decisions or seems confused about transactions, this may further suggest they are being manipulated or coerced.
Neglect: Lack of basic care, such as food, water, medical attention, or hygiene, can constitute neglect. If the elder appears unkempt or in poor health, neglect may be at play. Additionally, neglect can manifest as a lack of appropriate clothing or shelter, or an elder’s inability to access necessary medications or treatments.
If you observe any of these signs in your loved one, it’s essential to document them, as this evidence may be valuable for future actions.
Gather Evidence
Gathering evidence of suspected abuse is essential for addressing the issue effectively. Evidence could include:
Medical records: If physical abuse or neglect is suspected, medical records showing injuries or untreated conditions can be crucial. These records can provide a timeline of the abuse, linking the injuries or neglect to specific incidents and helping establish a pattern of mistreatment.
Financial statements: In cases of financial exploitation, records of suspicious withdrawals or sudden financial shifts are often critical evidence. Additionally, identifying discrepancies between the elder’s financial habits and recent transactions can further point to potential abuse or manipulation.
Photos and documentation: Documenting injuries, unclean living conditions, or poor treatment can help illustrate the conditions your loved one is enduring. Consistent and dated documentation will strengthen the case by showing how the situation may have worsened over time.
Witness testimonies: If other family members, friends, or neighbors have witnessed signs of abuse, encourage them to document their observations. Witness testimony is often powerful in cases of elder abuse, as it provides independent verification of the elder's circumstances and supports your claims of mistreatment.
Report Suspected Abuse to Authorities
When you suspect that elder abuse is occurring, involving the authorities can be an effective way to confirm the safety of your loved one. You can set an investigation in motion by reporting elder abuse to Adult Protective Services (APS) in Wisconsin or the local authorities in your area.
Consider Legal Protection Options
If your loved one can’t care for themselves and there are concerns about their well-being, pursuing legal protections such as guardianship or powers of attorney could provide them with better protection. Guardianship transfers legal rights to a responsible individual or institution that acts in the best interests of the elder.
In cases where a caregiver or another individual is suspected of abuse, assigning or modifying guardianship can help remove the elder from a harmful environment.
Confirm Follow-Up Care and Support
Elder abuse cases require ongoing attention and support. Even after initial steps have been taken, it’s essential to confirm your loved one’s physical, emotional, and financial well-being. Following up on medical care, reviewing financial transactions, and maintaining regular contact are all vital steps.
Communicate Openly With Your Loved One
If you suspect that your loved one is being abused, try to discuss your concerns with them in a gentle and open way. It’s natural to feel awkward or worried about broaching this topic, but often, elders need someone to notice or reach out.
If they appear reluctant or fearful, reassure them that they can speak freely with you and that you’ll support them. In many cases, older adults are unwilling to report abuse because they fear retribution or are worried about causing trouble. Creating an environment where they feel safe can be one of the most powerful steps in bringing abuse to light.
Tips for Managing Elder Abuse Situations
Managing elder abuse situations can be emotionally challenging, but taking proactive steps is essential for assuring your loved one’s safety and well-being. The following tips can help guide you through the process of addressing suspected abuse and securing the care and protection that your elder relative needs.
Stay involved: Regular communication with your loved one can make a difference. Visiting them, checking in frequently, and staying updated on their circumstances can deter potential abusers.
Secure financial management: Consulting a professional about managing finances can reduce the likelihood of financial exploitation.
Address dynamics: If you suspect a family member may be involved in abuse, addressing this openly and professionally may be necessary to help assure the safety of your loved one.
Additional Considerations
Elder abuse is a sensitive subject that affects not just the victim but the entire family. When abuse is suspected or discovered, families often feel a mixture of emotions, from guilt to frustration to a strong desire for justice. It’s important to approach the situation with empathy and explore all available options to help your loved one.
Contact Us for Support
At Lewis & Van Sickle, LLC, we’re committed to helping individuals work through elder abuse cases with compassion and understanding. Your loved one deserves safety and dignity, and we’re ready to support you. Reach out to us today to learn how we can assist in addressing elder abuse and assuring your loved one’s well-being.