Fierce Advocates For California Elder Abuse Victims And Their Families
There are nearly 49 million elders in the United States, a number that is rapidly increasing due to the advances in life-sustaining technologies. Sadly, there has been a corresponding increase in elder abuse and neglect in many nursing and long-term care facilities. With your loved one in a nursing facility or long-term care facility, it can be difficult to determine if there has been any abuse or neglect. At Rencher Law Group, P.C., our elder abuse attorneys have the skill and experience to expose elder abuse and neglect and to bring those at fault to justice.
If you believe that you or someone you love is experiencing elder abuse, you probably feel helpless. Fortunately, you are not. You have our legal team at Rencher Law Group, P.C., on your side.
Our founding attorney, D.L. Rencher, has more than 20 years of experience working with the victims of elder abuse and their family members.
What Is Elder Abuse?
Elder abuse impacts older individuals in a large number of ways. Sometimes, doing nothing is what harms the elderly the most. California Penal Code section 368 allows perpetrators of abuse to face misdemeanor and felony charges.
Such abuse takes place in many forms. It occurs at nursing homes and long-term care centers. Staff at such facilities often hide the abuse from family members. Sometimes abuse occurs at the hands of children, spouses or other family members. Victims of elder abuse have the right to seek compensation for their injuries.
What Are The Signs Of Elder Abuse?
Elder abuse can take many forms, but some commons signs are:
- Bedsores: Sores that develop on a person’s underside from a lack of movement
- Bodily damages: Includes bruises, scratches, open wounds, burns and/or sores
- Lack of proper cleaning: Includes unkept sheets, unswept/mopped floors
- Poor hygiene: Includes unwashed hair, dirty clothes, uncombed hair, unkept appearance, poor skin, and/or untrimmed fingernail or toenails
- Malnourishment or dehydration: Signs include significant weight loss, dry skin, sunken eyes, fatigue, confusion and dizziness
- Overmedication: Excessive use of antipsychotics, sedatives and other prescription drugs to “chemically restrain”
- Lack of supervision: Includes staff members who are inattentive to the needs of the patients
- Emotional abuse: Verbal abuse and subsequent feelings of depression and hopelessness
Abuse and neglect can take a significant toll on vulnerable elders, and it’s often up to their loved ones to identify the mistreatment and take legal action on their behalf. We can help you do so.
Providing Answers And Help For The Victims Of Elder Abuse
In this frightening and confusing time, you can turn to us for answers. To get you started, these are a few of our responses to the questions we frequently hear from our clients.
What are the most common forms of elder abuse?
Elder abuse can take many different forms. Some of the most common forms of elder abuse include:
- Physical abuse
- Sexual abuse
- Psychological or emotional abuse, including intimidation, threats and isolation
- Neglect of an elderly person’s physical or emotional needs
- Financial abuse, in which someone exploits an elderly person for financial gain
Vulnerable older people may experience one form of abuse, or abuse may take several forms.
In which situations are the elderly more likely to be abused?
Shared living situations and reliance on nursing home staff or other caretakers can put elderly people at greater risk of abuse. Conditions that make elderly people mentally or physically unable to care for their own needs can also increase the likelihood of abuse. In addition, if elderly people become isolated from family or friends or have a limited social network, the lack of outside contact may allow abuse to go undetected.
What should I do if I suspect my loved one is being abused, neglected or exploited?
Begin by documenting the suspected elder abuse or neglect. Create a detailed log, including the incidents you have noticed and the dates and times they occurred, if possible. If your loved one still has the ability to communicate verbally or through writing, have a frank discussion with them in which you express your concerns about their situation. Speak with your loved one’s doctor and the management of your loved one’s nursing home or another care facility. Bring your log and any other evidence you may have, including medical records and financial statements.
Where can I report my suspicions of elder abuse?
You have several options for reporting abuse. You can report it to:
- Your local police department
- Your county’s department of Adult Protective Services (APS)
- Your loved one’s doctor
- A trusted staff member on their care team
- The management of the nursing home or another care facility
You should also contact an elder abuse attorney to learn more about your legal options.
Who responds to reports of elder abuse?
No matter where you report your suspicions of abuse, the APS in the county where your loved one resides will step in to respond to the allegations.
How can an attorney assist with an elder abuse case?
Elder abuse attorneys are a crucial part of any case. They understand how the many administrative and legal processes involved in elder abuse cases work. Because they have many resources and contacts at their disposal, they can use these to help you and your loved one. Perhaps most importantly, they know how to protect the rights of your elderly loved one so they never have to endure abuse again.
Are there criminal penalties for an abuser?
Yes, in many cases. Elder abuse is a serious crime. A conviction can result in up to four years in jail.
Contact Rencher Law Group To Stop Elder Abuse And Neglect
If you believe a loved one is suffering from elder abuse of any kind, contact our elder abuse law firm today for a free case evaluation. It is important that you contact a lawyer immediately to protect your loved one. We are preeminent attorneys for representing clients whose elderly loved ones have experienced abuse or neglect. Our San Francisco elder abuse attorneys have helped thousands of clients in the San Francisco and San Diego areas.
You can schedule a completely free in-person or virtual consultation with one of our team members. To reach us, call 415-900-1566 or send us an email.