Neglect is considered elder abuse, as is physical harm, emotional mistreatment, and financial exploitation. Essentially, elder abuse pertains to instances where those responsible for caring for elderly people fail to do so in ways that cause pain, impose suffering, or create risks.
Families often feel torn between trusting caregivers and protecting someone who might not be able to advocate for themselves. The fear of overreacting competes with the concern of waiting too long to take action or failing to stand up for the person they love.
Meanwhile, by this point, nursing homes and insurance companies have often already started documenting their version of events. This is where legal help from Boston nursing home abuse lawyers is more important than ever.
When Care Turns Into Control
Elder abuse is not always obvious. Not every instance of this type of harm involves shouting loudly or causing visible injuries. In many cases, it starts out quietly and subtly as control begins to replace care.
Here’s what this often looks like on a day-to-day basis:
- Limiting who your loved one is allowed to speak to
- Discouraging visits, allegedly for their own good
- Making decisions without explanation
- Ignoring requests for comfort or dignity
These behaviors ultimately result in loss of autonomy for those being abused. For older adults, especially, being ignored or having your wishes denied often leads to anxiety and depression. Many elderly people start to worry that they are a burden, too.
In Massachusetts, elder abuse includes actions—or failures to act—that cause harm, distress, or risk to an older adult’s health or safety. Emotional harm counts. Loss of dignity counts.
Physical Harm That Raises Red Flags
Physical harm is what many people picture when they first think about elder abuse, and while it’s not the only type of abuse that the elderly face, it’s still important to understand the signs of physical harm.
Keep an eye out for these symptoms:
- Bruises in unusual places, like the inner arms or thighs
- Cuts, burns, or marks without clear explanations
- Frequent falls with inconsistent reports
- Bed sores that worsen instead of heal
- Untreated infections or dehydration
Families along Route 9 in Framingham and Natick, or down Cape roads like Route 6 and Route 28, report seeing these same patterns again and again. Physical injuries are rarely isolated incidents. They often point to deeper neglect.
Did You Know Neglect is a Form of Abuse?
Neglect is a rather common form of elder abuse, though it is often brushed off as nothing more than staffing issues or misunderstandings between families and facilities.
Despite what you are told, neglect is a form of abuse, and it often manifests as:
- Missed medications
- Poor hygiene
- Lack of supervision
- Unsafe living conditions
- Delayed medical care
Neglect causes pain and suffering just like direct forms of physical harm. Watching a loved one decline because their basic needs are consistently ignored is heartbreaking for families, and it’s important for you to understand that you don’t have to let it happen. It’s okay to speak up.
Emotional Abuse Often Leaves the Deepest Scars
Emotional elder abuse usually goes unnoticed because it doesn’t leave behind any visible injuries. As a result, unless someone else bears witness to this type of harm, those who are inflicting emotional abuse upon the elderly will likely talk their way out of accountability.
If your loved one ever informs you of any of these behaviors, it is very important that you take them seriously, even if you haven’t seen it happen to them firsthand.
Here’s what emotional abuse often looks like:
- Yelling or threats
- Humiliation
- Intimidation
- Isolation from friends or family
- Dismissive or demeaning language
Older adults might stop speaking up if they are scared of retaliation or they worry that no one will believe them. However, just because it’s not physically painful doesn’t mean emotional pain and suffering won’t linger, even after injuries heal.
Massachusetts law recognizes emotional harm as a major injury, not a minor issue. If you suspect that your loved one is on the receiving end of this treatment, encourage them to open up to you and remind them that you are on their side.
Instances of Financial Exploitation Behind Closed Doors
Elder abuse also includes financial exploitation, which usually overlaps with other forms of harm.
Here’s what this type of elder abuse often involves:
- Unauthorized withdrawals
- Sudden changes to wills or beneficiaries
- Pressure to sign documents
- Missing personal belongings
- Confusion about bills or accounts
When financial abuse occurs in nursing homes or care facilities, it is often paired with emotional manipulation. Victims are made to feel confused, embarrassed, or afraid, all of which are states of mind intended to prevent them from speaking up.
What to Do if You Suspect Sexual Abuse
Sexual abuse of elders is deeply underreported. Shame and fear, paired with cognitive impairment, often prevent victims from telling anyone about what’s being done to them.
It’s important to pay attention to these warning signs the moment you notice them:
- Bruising near sensitive areas
- Torn clothing or bedding
- Sudden fear of certain caregivers
- Changes in behavior or sleep patterns
Any suspicion of sexual abuse should be met with immediate attention and action. The longer you wait to address these concerns, the more likely the vulnerable residents are to be put at further risk.
Contact Us to Learn What is Considered Elder Abuse in Massachusetts
From Greater Boston to the Cape and everywhere in between, many people pay for facilities to take care of their loved ones when they reach an age where living on their own is no longer an option. Unfortunately, elderly people are not always safe in the hands of their caretakers.
If you have a feeling that something is wrong, it likely is. Don’t ignore your intuition. Instead, reach out to Jason Stone Injury Lawyers as soon as you notice something is amiss. It’s better to act early than to wait too long and reach a point where it’s too late.
Our attorneys will help you protect the people you love when the system fails them. With 21-plus years in business, we have recovered more than $250 million in compensation for over 15,000 clients. And thanks to our Stone Cold Guarantee®, there’s no obligation, just information®.
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