Elder Abuse

Elder Abuse Information

Elder abuse is a single or repeated act or lack of appropriate action, occurring within any relationship where there is an expectation of trust, which causes harm or distress to an older person.

There are five main types of elder abuse:

* Physical: e.g. hitting, slapping, burning, pushing, restraining or giving too much medication or the wrong medication.

* Psychological: e.g. shouting, swearing, frightening, blaming, ignoring or humiliating a person.

* Financial: e.g. illegal or unauthorized use of a person’s property, money, pension book or other valuables.

* Sexual: e.g. forcing a person to take part in any sexual activity without his or her consent.

* Neglect: e.g. where a person is deprived of food, heat, clothing or comfort or essential medication.

Perpetrators of this type of abuse can include anyone in a position of control or authority, whether that is within a family or institutional situation. This can include a partner, child or other relation, a friend or neighbor, volunteer worker, or a health, social care or other worker.

A specialty in legal practice, covering estate planning, wills, trusts, arrangements for care, social security and retirement benefits, protection against elder abuse (physical, emotional and financial), and other concerns of older people. There are many organizations that specialize in representing Senior Citizens and Elders in legal matters.

For more free legal information on Elder Laws, please use the links below:

• Elder Abuse

• Nursing Home Abuse

• Medicare

• Medicaid