What are the chances elders in Yakima will fall victim to scams?
Elder abuse takes many forms and the financial fraudsters that most people immediately think of are only one of them. Still, financial abuse is one of the more popular forms of elder abuse and all seniors need to be aware of the threat. The Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) has compiled the following data on Washington’s elderly fraud victims in 2020:
Washington had 3,301 elderly fraud victims in 2020.
Resulting in $ 26,541,727 total losses.
Many cases of financial fraud (and indeed elder abuse in general) go unreported, so there were likely more victims and more losses than those cited above. If you want to shield your senior from scammers, review best practices with them so they will be prepared to handle situations where others may try to take advantage of them. You can also hire a Yakima elder law expert to answer any questions you or your older loved one may have.
What should families in Yakima know about the prevalence of elder abuse?
While financial fraud is certainly a troubling form of elder abuse it is far from the only one. The National Library of Medicine published the following statistics on the overall prevalence of elder abuse and specific types of it, and you may be surprised by some of what seniors are forced to endure:
You'll note that you get a higher number if you add all of the different forms of elder abuse together than the overall elder abuse statistic, meaning that some seniors are subjected to more than one type of abuse. An elder care attorney in Yakima and nearby cities such as Kennewick, Richland, and Pasco can leverage their expertise to protect your older adult from every form of abuse.
How can I help the senior in my life find an elder care attorney in Yakima?
Choosing a Yakima elder care attorney is a big decision entailing research that seniors may not feel comfortable performing. As such, you can help your aging loved one immensely by offering to handle everything for them. Begin by verifying each candidate's licensure and professional experience. If your senior needs help with something specific such as writing a will or preparing an advanced medical directive, the lawyer you choose should have demonstrable experience in that field. A successful elder care attorney also needs outstanding communication skills, so seek out referrals from past clients or their families to verify them. We also recommend interviewing several different candidates with your older loved one to better understand what services are available and how your senior most effectively communicates. Our comprehensive guide to choosing an elder care lawyer includes more actionable tips, so bookmark it for reference throughout your search.
Elder care attorneys in Yakima
It would be best if your senior didn't run into any legal issues requiring guardianship or conservatorship, have to worry about how their assets are distributed, or become victimized by a scammer, but there are no guarantees. If you want to protect your older adult from all of these forms of elder abuse and more, consult with an expert in Yakima elder law today! Seasons provides all of the free resources you need to begin.
