Know the Signs – Take Action
As we head into February and Valentine’s Day, we would like to encourage everyone with an elderly loved one to take a few minutes out of your day to focus on that person. As we age, we can become more vulnerable to those who would, for whatever reason, choose to do us harm. Whether it’s an aging parent or grandparent, a member of your extended family, a friend, neighbor, or coworker, think about that individual as you read through the following list. If anything jumps out at you and you have reason to believe that the older individual may be experiencing abuse, follow the information at the bottom of the page and seek help. Remember, you may be the only one who notices and speaks up.
1. Extreme, Unexplained Weight Loss
2. Malnutrition and/or Dehydration
3. Bedsores
4. Broken Bones/Fractures
5. Unexplained Injuries / Illogical Explanations for Injuries
6. Individual Appears to be Drugged / Overmedication / Chemical Restraint
7. Bleeding, Bruising, or Trauma In Genital Areas
8. Presence of Sexually Transmitted Infections or Diseases
9. Frequent Bank Account Withdrawals / Missing Personal Property
10. Revisions to a Will, Deed, or Trust
Abuse – Neglect – Exploitation – Isolation
Elder abuse can involve abuse, neglect, exploitation, and isolation. It may be physical, emotional, sexual, verbal, and financial. Typically, the victim will NOT report these incidents due to fear of retaliation and their frail physical and/or mental health. Therefore, you must pay very close attention. The signs listed above are the top ten most commonly observed signs of elder abuse, but these are far from the only signs. If you have any concerns, be sure to take appropriate action.
How Can I Be Sure?
You can learn more about how to identify elder abuse, and some of the challenges involved, by visiting our website. The only way to be sure that a loved one is being abused and hold the perpetrator accountable is to follow up on your suspicions with a dedicated personal injury attorney. At Angotti & Straface Attorneys at Law, we are well-qualified to identify all types of abuse and neglect committed against our most vulnerable community members in nursing homes, long-term care hospitals, and similar facilities. If you have good reason to suspect your loved one is being abused, you may be correct.
What Should I Do If I Suspect An Elderly Person Is Being Abused?
You should take action immediately. Unfortunately, nursing home abuse, medical malpractice, and other crimes against the elderly have become so common in our society that many of us have become blind to it. We tend to voice our complaints to the wind, shrug our shoulders, and try to forget about it. We go on about our business. We ALLOW this to happen. What if you were the one being abused? With each day that goes by, you are getting older, too. If you suspect an elderly person is being abused, report it. If that person resides in a nursing home or long-term care facility, contact Angotti & Straface Attorneys at Law for the most aggressive legal action in West Virginia. We do not back down. We fight to the end – and we work hard to win your case. Let’s put an end to elder abuse.
How to Report Elder Abuse In West Virginia
If you suspect that someone you know of advanced age is being abused in West Virginia, report the facts to your nearest law enforcement agency, as well as the following entities responsible for safeguarding our vulnerable senior citizens:
West Virginia Department of Health & Human Services – Adult Protective Services
Adult Protective Services Central Intake (Elder Abuse Hotline): 1-800-352-6513
Additional resources are available through your nearest West Virginia Senior Center.
Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program: 1-800-834-0598
Do You Believe Your Loved One Is Being Abused In a Nursing Home?
Contact Angotti & Straface Attorneys at Law
Since 1952, Angotti & Straface Attorneys at Law has aggressively protected the rights of our most vulnerable citizens. If you have good reason to believe that an elderly loved one is being abused at the hands of those charged with caring for them in a nursing home or care facility, contact us immediately. We hold care providers accountable for committing nursing home abuse throughout all of West Virginia. For a free initial case consultation, call: (304) 292-4381. Time is of the essence. Do not delay.