KNOW THE SIGNS OF ELDER ABUSE
By Michelle Mulvena, Esq.
A couple of months ago, I posted about the growing problem of identity theft committed against our elders, but this is just one of the many forms elder abuse can take. In addition to financial exploitation, elders also can be the target of physical and emotional abuse and neglect.
As an advocate for the elders of our community, I take this topic very seriously, and anyone charged with caring for an elder needs to learn to recognize the signs and symptoms of elder abuse.
Signs of physical abuse are bruising, welts, cuts, bleeding, sprains, burns, broken bones, and dislocations. Signs of emotional abuse are fear, intimidation, duress, coercion, anxiety, irritability, crying, shaking, and isolation, as well as abusive language, actions or behaviors.
Signs of financial exploitation include unexplained withdrawals, transfer of assets under duress or coercion, mismanagement of assets and income, change to estate documents such as a will under duress or coercion.
Elder neglect is a failure to fulfill a caretaking obligation and constitutes more than half of all reported cases of elder abuse. Regardless of whether it is intentional or not, neglecting to provide adequate care for an elder is a form of abuse.
There are many organizations available to help elders, their family members, and caregivers take action to stop any form of elder abuse or neglect. You can even report suspected abuse anonymously. Contact any one of the following organizations for help:
- Mystic Valley Elder Services or your local elder service provider
- Somerville Council on Aging or your local Council on Aging
- Somerville-Cambridge Elder Services
- The State-wide Elder Abuse Hotline 800-922-2275. Open 24/7
- An Elder Law Attorney
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Michelle Mulvena is an attorney at Moschella & Winston, a law firm specializing in legal planning and protection for individuals and families for over 30 years. Please contact her at mm@moschellawinston.com or (617) 776-3300.