Senior abuse has many faces. None of them are nice.

Unfortunately, a recent study released by the National Center on Elder Abuse reveals that close to 2 million American seniors have been exploited financially by a caregiver, emotionally abused and/or physically, mentally and psychologically abused.

Those figures are disgusting and are likely just the tip of the iceberg, as these incidents don’t just take place in nursing homes or other elder care facilities. Senior abuse goes on behind the closed doors where many seniors still live at home, being perpetrated by people they know. By people they know - think about that for a minute. What does that say about the state of our nation today? Hardly a social commentary we would want to brag about.

If you suspect a loved one is being abused or exploited in their own home, or at another location, there are some warning signs to keep an eye on. Physical abuse is usually relatively easy to identify, but other forms are not that obvious. For instance, in cases of elder neglect, the individual will likely not have had decent medical care, may be malnourished, have pressure ulcers, expired medications or no medications when they need them and may be not as clean as they would want to be. Knowing what the senior is usually like compared to how you are seeing them now will help you make comparisons.

Elder emotional abuse usually rears its ugly head and manifests itself in the senior having a sudden and unexplained change in their normal behavior, changes in how alert they usually are; changes in other usual behavior patterns they have always exhibited and in some cases, a reluctance or withdrawal from their usual activities and relationships.

Abuse can also come in the form of financial exploitation. This has got to be one of the all time lows that a person can stoop to; ripping off seniors who need their mostly limited income to live on, buy drugs and pay for insurance or nursing care. Financially exploiting a senior may involve check forgery, theft of property or money, and a wide variety of seemingly never ending scams and frauds.
If the senior in your life suddenly alters their will, finds their bank account wiped out, is issuing checks for large amounts of money to some unknown person or there is a series of strange withdrawals, something is up and it’s time to check what’s going on. Other forms of altered behavior may see the senior lose their property in a scam and give excessive gifts to a caretaker.

If you suspect some form of abuse is going on, take the initiative to install security cameras that are triggered by motion or remotely. There is no better evidence than a video of abuse in action. Having an at-home security system for your senior is also a smart step, as it provides them with a sense of security and control over their lives and keeps them safe.

Domestic elder abuse is the most under-reported crime in America today. Shockingly, roughly 1 in 14 incidents are ever reported. Each generation our senior population grows, so the issue of elder abuse is everyone’s concern.

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Deborah Barron is a Sacramento business lawyer, Sacramento employment lawyer, and Sacramento personal injury lawyer in California. To learn more, visit www.lawbarron.com.

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When searching for senior care, you will want to assess the needs of the individual needing care. If mobility is not an issue and the individual is in good health, you can look into senior independent living. This type of adult living allows the individual to have the independence of living in their own home, without the additional tasks of housekeeping and lawn maintenance. Many senior communities have level of care options, from very little help to basic medication management and light housekeeping to nursing assistance or even 24 hour medical care. If the individual needs assistance with mobility or is in poor health, you should consider assisted living or nursing home care.

Not all senior retirement communities are created equal. Here are some important things to look for in finding the right community and level of care:

Facility Atmosphere: is the facility’s environment warm and inviting?
Staff: Are the people who work there warm and friendly? Are they approachable? Are the residents addressed by their names? Do they seem to have good rapport with the staff?
Living spaces: What about the apartments or rooms, are they well-decorated and clean? Does the environment feel safe? Are there security measures in place for residents?
Personal care needs: What care options does the facility offer? Do they match your needs for housekeeping and assistance with daily activities?
Medication needs: Can the staff help with administering and monitoring medication? What options do they offer?
Services: Are there any other services you might need? Do they provide these?
Activities: What activities do they have to foster community between the residents? Do they have outings or events that you would like to attend or that reflect your interests?

If you are looking for a longer term option, another choice is the Continuing Care Retirement Community. In this sort of living arrangement, your loved one can have independent living, assisted living or nursing home care all in one facility. Depending on the level of care that is necessary at any given time, seniors can move back and forth between the special options. This option has the advantage of giving the individual time to know and trust the staff, and the chance to make friends and build a sense of community.

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To more about Retirement Community and on assisted living

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