What are the chances elders in Paducah will fall victim to scams?
Many people automatically think of financial fraud when they think of elder abuse because seniors may be vulnerable to talking to people with ill intentions. Sadly, this costs many seniors thousands of dollars each year. The FBI has prepared the following statistics regarding the number of elderly fraud victims in Kentucky in 2020:
Kentucky Had 782 elderly fraud victims in 2020.
Resulting in 4,056,091 total losses.
A Paducah or Harrisburg elder law expert can share best practices for avoiding scams with your aging loved one to help them keep their money safe. If you aren't sure whether that would be enough, you could also explore the power of attorney or guardianship to ensure that someone is watching out for your older adult's best interests.
What types of mistreatment do elder care attorneys in Paducah pursue?
While financial fraud and other scams are the most common type of elder abuse, an attorney for seniors in the Paducah area can also pursue other types of cases. The National Center on Elder Abuse (or NCEA) formally recognizes and defines the following five forms of abuse that an attorney could pursue:
Types of elder abuse
- Physical Abuse
- Intentional or reckless use of physical force or physical coercion that could cause:
- bodily injury
- physical pain
- Impairment
- Sexual Abuse
- Non-consensual sexual contact of any kind with an older adult
- Emotional or Psychological Abuse
- Infliction of anguish, pain, or distress through verbal or nonverbal acts such as:
- verbal assaults
- insults
- threats & intimidation
- humiliation
- isolation
- harassment
- Financial Abuse
- Illegal or improper use of an elder's funds, property, or assets such as:
- misusing or stealing money or possessions
- coercing or deceiving an older person into signing any document (e.g., contracts or will)
- improper use of conservatorship, guardianship, or power of attorney
- financial scams
- Neglect
- Refusal or failure to fulfill any part of a person's obligations or duties of care to an elder such as:
- food & water
- clothing
- shelter
- personal hygiene
- medicine
- comfort
- personal safety
Some people think that elder abuse has to be committed intentionally, but that is incorrect. If your older adult suffers an accidental injury because of their caregiver, you should contact an expert in Paducah elder law and see if you have grounds to pursue a case of caregiver neglect. Your elder loved one's lawyer can provide further information on how to report different forms of abuse.
Why should I help the senior in my life find an elder care attorney in Paducah?
We know that an attorney for seniors in Paducah, Cape Girardeau, or another area city may not be the first thing you associate with elder care, but lawyers provide many benefits for older adults. A Paducah elder care attorney can spot signs of abuse or neglect that you might miss and ensure they are properly reported to the authorities. Similarly, your senior's lawyer can pursue compensation for any financial losses that result from elder abuse. Just as importantly, an expert in Harrisburg elder law can help your loved one set up a living trust, advanced medical directive, or will and ensure that their final wishes are executed according to their specifications. Your aging loved one may even get peace of mind from knowing that they have access to expert legal help even if they never end up needing it. Our comprehensive guide to finding an elder law attorney includes more info on the benefits lawyers can offer seniors and how to choose one, so be sure to read it thoroughly.
Elder care attorneys in Paducah
We understand that you might be hesitant to find your aging loved one a lawyer since doing so can feel like an admission they might need help that you can't provide, but that is what professionals are for. An expert in Paducah elder law can help the senior in your life with multiple issues, and Seasons makes it easy to find the best attorneys in the area. Please let us help you ensure that your senior enjoys security in their golden years.
