Elder neglect in Sacramento, and other areas around the country, can occur in their homes, in nursing homes or at their relative’s homes. Abuse and neglect come in several different forms, including financial, physiological, emotional and physical. It can be difficult to spot signs of neglect, especially if you’re not necessarily looking for them. But everyone has a responsibility to protect the elderly, whether they are your mother, father, aunt, cousin or neighbor. Here are some signs to watch for:
* Unexplained bruises or broken bones
* Wariness or fear of others
* Elderly seems to be in pain, more than usual
Consider this scenario:
You’re at your mailbox and you see your elderly neighbor approaching. She says hello and you trade pleasantries, but she seems to be a bit more wary; in fact, she seems different since her niece moved in to take care of her. You ask her about the bruise on her arm, and she says she fell against her kitchen chair. Then, she abruptly says goodbye and hurries away.
There could be nothing out of the ordinary here; but this could also be a sign that something is amiss. In a case like this, it would be prudent to keep a closer eye on your neighbor to make sure she’s safe. You could ‘pop in’ more often, and perhaps talk to other family members to voice your concerns. If you notice more bruising that keeps getting explained as accidents, it may be time to report it to the authorities.
Elder neglect in Sacramento area is not common but even one case is too many. It’s important to protect the elderly from unscrupulous caregivers and those who may take advantage of them financially. Every senior citizen deserves to be treated with respect and dignity. We, as a society, need to make sure that happens.
