As a society we are living longer than ever before.  While this is mostly a positive thing, it does mean that we have a higher probability that we will need assisted care at some point in our lives.  Unfortunately, each year there are hundreds of thousands of elderly that face abuse, exploitation, financial extortion and neglect.  A huge part of this problem is also the inability of the abused to notify others due to their dependence on their abuser.  In fact, only one in five elder abuse crimes are ever discovered.

Even well intentioned persons can cause injury or suffering to an elderly individual in their care.  For example, many family members take in a loved one to provide care, but, due to a lack of training and experience, do not understand their needs nor how to properly aid the individual.  In these situations a professionals help is needed to ensure the care of the elderly individual is sufficient and that they are kept in comfort.  Other incidences come from facilities or professional care providers that are unscrupulous in their practice and fail in their responsibilities to their clients.

In 2005, June 15^th was designated as World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD) by the International Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse and the World Health Organization at the United Nations.  The purpose of this day is to promote understanding and awareness of elder abuse, its prevalence, and the steps we can take to stop it.

You may be wondering what steps you could take to help end elder abuse.  If you are caring for a loved one, take the time to hire a professional to give you guidance and supervision over your care until you feel comfortable providing quality care on your own.  Or, if the care is too demanding, look at having in-home care or find a quality care facility.  If you have a loved one receiving care from a professional provider or facility, pay attention to their treatment and to the well-being of your loved one.  Make sure to visit regularly and ensure they are being treated well, getting necessary attention and receiving the medical care they need.  Being involved is one of the greatest steps you can take to help prevent your loved one from suffering from elder abuse.

For more information or to schedule a free consultation, contact us today at 888.222.1328.

About Morris Hall:
At Morris Hall, we have focused our legal practice on estate planning for over 40 years.  Along with estate planning, our attorneys help clients and their families with matters of probate, trust administration, wills, power of attorneys, business planning, succession planning, legacy planning, charitable gifting and other important legal aspects.  We also have divisions in financial, real estate and accounting to help you incorporate all of your planning together, ensuring that everything works perfectly for your needs and situation. Our Arizona offices are located in Phoenix, Mesa, Scottsdale, Cave Creek, Tucson, Prescott, Flagstaff and Arrowhead.  Our New Mexico offices are located in Albuquerque, Las Cruces and Santa Fe.  Contact us today at 888.222.1328 to schedule an appointment!

This blog should be used for informational purposes only.  It does not create an attorney-client relationship with any reader and should not be construed as legal advice.  If you need legal advice, please contact an attorney in your community who can assess the specifics of your situation.