As loved ones age, they become increasingly vulnerable to elder abuse and financial exploitation. If you have an older relative residing in a nursing home or other living situation in Southeastern Massachusetts whose well-being is in question, this blog is for you. In it, the skilled elder law attorneys of Surprenant & Beneski, P.C. present some of the signs that may indicate you have reason to worry.
Since recognizing the signs of elder abuse and financial exploitation is the first step towards protecting your family member, you will want to pay close attention and evaluate their appearance, symptoms, and behavior so you can stop them from suffering harm at the earliest possible moment. Such investigation is necessary because your relative may be too weak, incapacitated, or frightened to tell you what’s going on.
Signs of Elder Abuse
Elder abuse takes many forms, including physical, emotional, and sexual abuse, as well as neglect. Recognizing the signs is essential for intervening and protecting your loved one from further harm. These signs may include:
- Bedsores due to being left in one position for much too long
- Malnutrition evidenced by sudden unexplained weight loss
- Dehydration shown by extreme thirst, excessively dry lips and skin
- Burns, blisters, bruises
- Frequent or untreated infections, rashes, skin lesions
- Signs of restraints, e.g. rope marks on wrists
- Unexplained falls, broken bones or other injuries
- Changes in behavior, e.g. increased agitation, irritability, rage, fear of contact
- Fear in the presence of a caregiver, other staff member, or resident
- Withdrawal from social activities or interactions
- Poor hygiene, body odor, dirty teeth, unchanged sheets or clothing
- Ripped, torn, or bloody undergarments
- Sudden unexplained death
It should be noted that some of the above signs may be evidence of changes in health status rather than evidence of abuse, but you are always entitled to a reasonable explanation from a doctor rather than from a caregiver (aide or nurse) or administrator.
Signs of Financial Exploitation
Financial exploitation involves the unauthorized or improper use of an elderly person’s funds or assets for someone else’s benefit. Detecting signs of financial exploitation is critical in preventing further theft and protecting your loved one’s financial security.
Look for the following signs that your loved one’s finances are being tampered with:
- Unexplained withdrawals, transfers of funds or other transactions
- ATM withdrawals ostensibly by your loved one who hasn’t been to the bank
- Missing cash, jewelry, or other personal property
- Appearance of a new joint account or new credit card
- Notifications of insufficient funds in an account
- Changes of beneficiaries on trusts, insurance policies or other documents
- Altered financial behavior, e.g. excessive spending or unpaid bills
- Misuse of credit cards, unusual charges
- Checks written to nurses, aides or other “friends”
- Suspected forged signatures on checks or legal documents
- Unusual attempts to wire large sums of money
- Altered mailing addresses on credit card statements
Who to Contact for Help
Protecting seniors from elder abuse and financial exploitation requires vigilance. Recognizing the signs of either enables you to intervene quickly to ensure your loved one’s safety and well-being. If you notice any signs of elder abuse, call for help immediately. In some counties, such as Bristol County, the District Attorney’s office has a special task force designed for elder abuse. Also, you can also consult with the Aging Service Access Point in your area. For example, Bristol Elders in Fall River is able to help in the Bristol County area. If you are unsure as to where to turn to, and time is of the essence, the best and fastest thing to do is to call your local police department.