What are the chances elders in Dayton will fall victim to scams?
Many people automatically associate elder abuse with financial fraud, which makes sense considering that financial abuse is unfortunately very common among the elderly population. You can protect your aging loved one by discussing common scams with them so they understand what to watch out for. The FBI compiles statistics on the prevalence of elder financial fraud, and the results of their 2020 survey appear below:
Ohio Had 2,711 elderly fraud victims in 2020.
Resulting in 19,189,241 total losses.
If your senior cannot monitor their finances themselves, an elder care attorney in Dayton could set up guardianship to ensure that somebody is always watching out for them. A lawyer can also help your older adult try to recover any monies lost to fraud, so encourage your senior to hang on to their financial records in case they're needed as evidence.
What are some signs of elder abuse that caregivers in Dayton should look for?
While financial abuse is the most common form of elder abuse, it's not the only one. In fact, some people fail to report elder abuse because they don't realize everything that the term entails. The NCEA has identified five distinct types of elder abuse and provides troubling signs to look out for below:
Signs to look for in identifying elder abuse
- Physical Abuse
- bruises, wounds, cuts, fractures, sprains, or other signs of physical trauma
- recent falls
- signs of punishment such as evidence of physical restraint
- medication overdoses
- Psychological Abuse
- emotional distress or withdrawal
- lack of self-care
- lower self-esteem or feeling of despair and worthlessness
- dementia behaviors like biting, rocking, and sucking
- Sexual Abuse
- bruises and abrasions in the chest or genital region
- STDs, bleeding, and trauma in genital areas, genital infections
- increased anxiety or depression
- agitation, restlessness, and sleep disturbances
- Financial Abuse
- sudden changes in bank account or to a will or other financial documents
- disappearance of funds, possessions
- poor financial decisions
- unpaid bills and other financial distress
- anxiety and depression
- malnutrition
- Neglect
- unsanitary or unsafe living conditions
- personal hygiene issues
- untreated bed sores
- untreated/unattended health issues
- malnutrition or dehydration
This list is not exhaustive and you should never be shy about advocating for your aging loved one's safety and dignity. If you aren't sure whether a given incident might be indicative of elder abuse, consulting with an expert in Dayton elder law is the best option. They can help you determine whether elder abuse is taking place and take appropriate steps to rectify the situation.
Why should I help the senior in my life find an elder care attorney in Dayton?
A Dayton elder care attorney can advise your aging loved one on numerous issues and ensure that their wishes are executed accordingly. If your senior wants to set up a living will so they can see their heirs enjoy some of their inheritance, an elder care lawyer can make that happen. Similarly, a lawyer can help set up power of attorney if your senior cannot handle their affairs or becomes incapacitated in the future. An expert in Dayton elder law is also a tremendous resource if your aging loved one feels that they may be the victim of physical abuse at the hands of a caregiver or relative. You can benefit from the services of an elder law attorney as well if you have questions regarding the legal responsibilities of caregivers or how to report abuse.
Our comprehensive guide to choosing elder care attorneys can help you and your loved one understand their rights.
Elder care attorneys in Dayton
Elder law can get complex, and the best way to help your aging loved one navigate everything from caregiver neglect to writing a will is to ensure that they have access to an expert. Seasons makes it easy to research the best attorneys in the Dayton, Ohio, area, so please use our resources to ensure that your elderly loved one can age securely.
