As a child growing up, your parents were responsible for your well-being and were there for every move you made. Now that you’re all grown up, and they’re much older, it seem as if the roles are now reversed. Adult children are often forced to hire professionals to help take care of their parents. The last thing you want to see is your elderly parents being abused and taken advantage of by strangers.
Elderly abuse comes in many forms, so it’s important to keep an eye open for the signs. For instance, the elderly might be neglected by their caregivers. Neglect could involve not providing medicine when needed, not providing adequate assistance for the disabled or something else. If you feel that hired caregivers are neglectful, consider speaking with an Elder Care Attorney.
It’s also fairly common for elderly patients to be financially abused by their caregivers. Often times, the elderly aren’t very attentive or aware of all of their belongings. Some caregivers have been known to steal valuable items (i.e. jewelry, money, credit cards, etc.). A person may even go as far as tricking an elderly patient into modifying their will or trust. Again, if something like this happens, consider calling an attorney like Mark Aberasturi.
If you want to protect your parents, you should consider keeping a close eye on them. If they live in a nursing home, consider making surprise visits from time to time; ask the other residents how they’re being treated. If a caregiver is working inside of your home, consider setting up a few web cameras to help monitor your home. Have your parent examined by a medical professional to determine if the signs you’re seeing are consistent with abuse?
Consider using all of these tips in order to protect your parents. You can always contact an Elder Care Attorney if legal steps need to be taken to a caregiver or facility. Again, keep an eye out for signs of neglect and mistreatment. Talk with your parents to make sure all of their finances are correct and in order. Lastly, take the initiative to investigate any suspected abuse; interviewing staff members and placing surveillance around your home can be a good idea.