What are the chances elders in Wilmington will fall victim to scams?
When most people think of elder abuse, financial scams are the first thing that comes to mind. Unfortunately, this association is well-deserved as many seniors see massive financial losses annually. The FBI prepares official statistics on the subject, and here is how many elderly fraud victims lived in North Carolina in 2020:
North Carolina had 2,472 elderly fraud victims in 2020.
Resulting in $ 27,854,588 total losses.
Most senior citizens don't have that much money to lose, potentially compromising their access to vital things like food, shelter, and medical care. A Wilmington elder care attorney can help your senior avoid scams while prosecuting any cases of fraud to the fullest extent of the law to reclaim stolen funds.
What are some signs of elder abuse that caregivers in Wilmington should look for?
While financial fraud is virtually synonymous with elder abuse, there are other forms of elder abuse your older adult has to watch out for as well. Sadly, many seniors and their families have no idea what to watch out for. The National Center on Elder Abuse (NCEA) identifies five distinct forms of abuse and several warning signs that often accompany them 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
That list is not exhaustive, and you should always contact the relevant authorities if you suspect your elder loved one may have been victimized even if you don't see the reason or even the type of abuse above. An attorney for seniors in Wilmington can help by pointing out common warning signs and helping you report abuse claims properly.
How can I help the senior in my life find an elder care attorney in Wilmington?
Finding an elder care attorney in Wilmington is relatively easy, but finding the ideal candidate for your senior's unique needs can be a little more challenging. Luckily, we have created a comprehensive guide on choosing an elder care lawyer to help you and your older adult navigate every phase of the process.
The first step is making sure that any lawyer you're considering holds a valid license and understands the specific needs of the senior population. Next, ask your older adult if they have any specific needs to address. If they're worried about family members fighting over their estate, they should work with an estate planning attorney. If they have more generalized needs, an expert in multiple aspects of Wilmington elder law might be a better fit. The final step is arranging a face-to-face interview to make sure that your elder loved one communicates effectively with their elder law attorney.
Elder care attorneys in Wilmington
In an ideal world, we wouldn't need lawyers specializing in elder law because everyone would treat seniors with the respect and dignity they deserve. We don't live in such a world, however, and older adults are constantly targeted by scammers, abused by trusted caregivers, and suffering injuries due to neglect. Seasons provides free resources such as the local listings above to help you find a great lawyer for your elderly loved one, so why not take advantage of them to protect your senior today? You will be glad you did.
