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Study Finds That Instances of Elder Abuse Are on the Rise

A new study from the National Council on Aging has uncovered some terrible news: Instances of elder abuse are on the rise across the country. With more and more seniors moving to California, we have seen a sharp rise in elder abuse cases as well. Keep reading to find out more about the study and what you can do if you suspect someone in your life has been a victim of elder abuse.

Statistics from the Startling Study

The study found some truly startling facts. They found that five million elders had suffered from one type of abuse or another. They also found that 10% of all people over the age of 60 are abused yet only one in every fourteen of those cases is reported. In more than half of the cases of elder abuse, it is a member of the victim’s family that does the abusing.

There Are Laws in Place to Protect Our Elders and Offer Compensation

Of course, it is illegal to commit any type of abuse but there are particularly strong laws against elder abuse. What’s more, there are laws that allow elders or their family members to recover damages injuries. The specific damages they can be compensated for will depend on the type of abuse (whether it was physical, emotional, financial, or all of the before) and may involve returning stolen property or money.

Factors That Must Be Proven in an Elder Abuse Case

There are unique factors that must be proven in an elder abuse case. For example, if the charge is financial elder abuse, then the plaintiff is responsible for proving that the victim was either at least 65 years old or a dependent adult when the alleged abuse took place. They must prove that the victim suffered harm as a direct result of the actions of the defendant. Finally, they must prove that the defendant took, hid, or appropriated money or property from the elderly person and did so either with an unlawful purpose or to defraud them.

Do You Believe Your Elder Has Been Abused?

If you have reason to believe that your elder has been abused, whether financially, emotionally, or physically, the first step is to ensure they are safe. This may involve calling the police, getting them to a doctor, or simply getting them out of an assisted living center they are in.

Once they are safe and the extent of the damages is clear, you may have grounds for an elder abuse case. This could provide compensation for economic damages and noneconomic damages, such as pain and suffering. To find out if you have grounds for a case, and what the next steps are, contact The Law Offices of Larry H. Parker at 800-333-0000 and request a free legal consultation.