Protect Your Senior Against Abuse and Neglect
Many senior Americans who live in assisted-living communities, nursing and retirement homes, may become victims of elder abuse instead of receiving the care they deserve. For this reason, many families worry that their senior parents and loved ones will not be safe away from the family home. If you have an elder family member in a nursing home or other caretaking arrangement, it is important you take specific actions to help ensure your loved one remains safe. Of course, if your loved one does suffer harm, consider reaching out to a skilled attorney today for help.
Tips to Help Keep Your Loved One Safe
Take the following actions to make sure that your loved one remains safe and healthy in his or her living arrangement:
- Research the Facility: before you place your loved one in a home, make sure that you research the facility and the caregivers. Make frequent visits and be on the lookout for signs of elder abuse such as unexplained illnesses or injuries. If you see signs of elder abuse and neglect, make sure you act immediately and report the abuse.
- Take your Elder Loved to the Doctor: regular medical examinations are important. A doctor can help evaluate the effectiveness of any ongoing medical treatment and may also be the first to notice signs of physical or emotional abuse.
- Support Your Senior: loneliness is dangerous for seniors. Make sure that you take time to visit your loved one. This will give them a sense of comfort and your presence may help prevent an unseemly caretaker from taking advantage of your elderly loved one.
- Make Your Senior Loved has Safety Equipment: make sure your elderly loved one has good footwear and comfortable clothing. If necessary make sure your loved one has a cane or walker. Proper clothing and equipment help ensure your loved one is less likely to slip and fall. Additionally, mobility can help a senior keep their sense of independence and make them less vulnerable to abuse.
- Remember – Elder Abuse can happen at Home: if you have a family member who cares for a senior at home, remember that caregivers get fatigued. Unfortunately, fatigue may lead to abuse or neglect. This can be avoided by supporting the caregiver. Make sure they have breaks from caregiving so that they continue to properly care for their loved one.
Elder abuse is a crime in Florida; however, it can be prevented through diligence. By staying aware and engaging your senior parent or loved one, you can protect them against nursing home abuse and neglect.
Let an Attorney Help if you Suspect Elder Abuse
No one should suffer the humiliation of abuse. This is particularly true of vulnerable seniors who depend on their caregivers. If you suspect your elderly parent or loved one is being abused, then you should speak with the Miami elder abuse and nursing home attorneys at the law office of Alan Goldfarb, P.A. We can help you identify abuse, advise you on the process for reporting the abuse, and help you ensure your loved one is safe. Please contact us today to schedule an initial consultation.
