Defining Elder Abuse

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), elder abuse is “an intentional act, or a failure to act, by a caregiver or another person in a relationship involving an expectation of trust that causes or a risk of harm to an older adult.” The term “older adult” refers to an adult who is aged 60 or older. There are many different types of behaviors that constitute elder abuse, including the following:

• Physical Abuse – intentional use of physical force that results in chronic illness, bodily injury, pain, distress, impairment, or death, such as using restraints or other items to physically hurt a person
• Sexual Abuse – forced or unwanted sexual interaction of any kind, or with an incapacitated person
• Emotional or Psychological Abuse – verbal or nonverbal behavior that results in the infliction of anguish, mental pain, fear, or distress, such as making threats if the person takes a certain action
• Neglect – failure of a caregiver or other responsible person to protect an elder from harm, such as failing to ensure that the older adult receives his or her medications as needed
• Financial Abuse or Exploitation – illegal, unauthorized, or improper use of an older adult’s resources by a caregiver or another person in a trusting relationship with the older adult, for the benefit of someone other than the older adult, such as abusing a power of attorney or stealing assets from an older adult’s bank account for the perpetrator’s own use

Abusive actions toward nursing home residents and elderly individuals in need of care sometimes can result in significant injuries. What’s worse is that many of these abuse incidents are wholly preventable. The Wisconsin long-term care abuse lawyers of Boller & Vaughan know how to protect your loved ones’ rights. Our law firm handles these types of personal injury cases on a regular basis and is experienced in advocating on behalf of clients just like you. We are here to help you fight back against the healthcare facility or other caretaker who caused harm to your loved one, and to get any compensation to which you are entitled.