Elders are the most respectable members of society, and they are the ones who require utmost care and attention because they are dependent on society and their caregivers completely. But unfortunately, some abusers in the society mistreat them and cause elder abuse.
According to a report, one in 10 Americans aged 60+ has experienced elder abuse. According to some surveys, 5 Million elders are abused each year, and according to a study, only one in 24 cases are reported. Florida has among the highest Elder Abuse cases in the US where a great number of elders get abused on a daily basis.
If you think that an elder is being abused or due care is not being taken when it comes to health, you should consider calling a Lytal, Reiter, Smith, Ivey & Fronrath – Boca Raton Nursing Home Abuse Attorney immediately and let a professional lawyer handle the legal work for you.
Elder abuse cases are not like other cases. A well-experienced elder abuse lawyer has the relevant knowledge and understands how to recover the maximum compensation from the offender.
That being said, here are some tips to protect against elder abuse and neglect.
#1: Make yourself involved with elders
Make sure the senior doesn’t get lonely. You should talk to them often, and don’t be afraid to stop by unannounced, as most elders love surprises. This will ensure the elder that they can talk to you in case of any carelessness by the caretaking authority. Encourage the older person to keep and grow their circle of friends.
Adult protective services or the police should be called to check on the welfare of an elderly person who is having trouble getting to them.
#2: Make use of the help available to you
Make a list of all the things you need help with and give it to people who might be willing to help you carry groceries, run errands, or drive you places. You could also ask people to sing, dance, or make the elder laugh instead.
Non-profit groups for the elderly offer a wide range of free services, such as food delivery and rides that you or someone you care about can use.
Ensure to use every reliable resource that is available to you to perform the daily chores of the elder and keep them happy at all times.
#3: Plan for possible incapacitation and take care of legal matters
If you notice that the elder can no longer speak for themselves, make sure that their wishes are carried out. Put someone you trust in charge of the older person’s money and health care before they can’t do it on their own.
If you are the elder, then you must prepare documents that say how much and what kind of care you want if you get sick or hurt and can’t make decisions for yourself. This will help your doctor and family figure out what you want and respect your wishes.
It also makes it easier for your family to know what you wanted and wished for before becoming incapacitated.
#4: Ensure safety gadgets usage and technology
A variety of products are available on the market to help seniors do their daily tasks without getting hurt. You should help the elders while using safety gadgets and modern technology.
Make sure that the elder is not being abused in any way, and if any device can make the life of the elder easier, and helps them perform their daily activities, make sure that they have access to it.
#5: Select Caregiver carefully
While selecting the caregiver, ensure to ask the caregiver to provide referrals. Avoid relying on merely calling those referrals, and focus on their legitimacy. You need to prove that those referrals are legit. Offer to buy them a coffee, meet them and evaluate the overall legitimacy of their services.
If there is a caregiver that you like, run a background check to find out if they are properly registered and are certified to provide caregiving services.
Running a background check could make you trust them more. That is why hire a company that can do it for you so that your elders don’t get abused by them once they join the caregiving center. Here are a few suggestions in that regard.
- Assisted Living Homes:
Pay special attention and carefully select the assisted living home. See how their other residents are being treated by the respective staff, and don’t shy away from asking the questions to the elders who are already living there.
- Nursing Homes:
If you are thinking about selecting a nursing home, ensure that the facility is compliant with the city regulations and follows all the rules. Make sure to take a tour of the facility and read the paperwork in detail to provide the best quality services to your elders.
Final Verdict:
Keeping the elders safe and secure should be your topmost priority, and that is why you should consider taking every step with utmost caution while choosing what’s best for them.
If your elder is the victim of elder abuse, or you think that you are being abused as an elder, consider contacting a Lytal, Reiter, Smith, Ivey & Fronrath – Boca Raton Nursing Home Abuse Attorney and let him handle the situation. You can also talk to an expert by scheduling a free consultation at 561-655-1990.
