Discovering Elder Abuse in California

Financial elder abuse is sometimes hard to recognize and can go unnoticed. 

Here are some of the most common signs:

• Canceled checks or bank statements that go to the perpetrator’s home
• Large bank withdrawals or transfers between different accounts without explanation or reason
• Eviction notices and evidence of unpaid bills or utilities being discontinued due to nonpayment
• The perpetrator acts as though they and the elder are in a relationship, or have a friendship between them, even if they hardly know each other
• The elderly person’s care is substandard, even though they should be able to afford better
• There are ATM or other withdrawals that the elderly person did not or could not have made
• The elderly person is coerced into signing powers of attorney or other legal documents that they had little to no understanding of
• The perpetrator has an obsessive level of interest about the elder’s expenditures
• Persons who the elder barely knows are added to their bank accounts
• The elder is missing belongings and/or property with no clear explanation
• Forgeries are found upon legal documents or checks
• Financial arrangements are vague and have little to no paper trail or documentation
• The perpetrator’s explanations of the elder’s finances do not seem plausible or in the elder’s best interest, or the story is simply fabricated
• The elderly individual is completely unaware or lacking key knowledge of their current financial situation

If you have recognized any of these signs of abuse with regard to your loved one in a nursing home facility, do not hesitate to reach out to Joel R. Bryant today. Your hesitation could be the difference in whether or not your loved one is safe, and their abusers are held responsible.

What Makes a Person More Likely to Commit Elder Abuse?

Factors that result in an increased risk of a caregiver or other perpetrator abusing an elder include:

• Depressed or saddened mood
• Lack of assistance from other potential caregivers
• The caregiver mindset that the elderly individual is primarily a burden
• Substance abuse
• Isolation — the elderly individual is often alone with the same caregiver
• A history of domestic violence in the home of the caregiver
• The inability of a caregiver to look beyond verbal abuse by the elder
• Unreasonable amounts of responsibility put on the caregiver
• Lack of sufficient experience or training
• Poor working conditions or environment

It is important that caregivers are truly passionate about what they do and feel rightfully compensated for their work. Taking care of an elderly patient is never easy and can sometimes be as emotionally frustrating as it is otherwise rewarding.

What Should I Do if I Suspect that a Loved One Is Being Abused?

If you suspect that your family member may be the victim of nursing home abuse, notify the nursing home administrator immediately. The administrator is required to investigate and report it to the state agency. Additionally, you should contact an experienced attorney. Joel R. Bryant is committed to helping bring justice to the elderly and their families. We will help you and your loved one navigate the legal process to get your loved one and other residents out of harm’s way.

Why Should I Hire Joel R. Bryant?

Nursing home neglect and abuse must be stopped. If one of your loved ones was abused in a nursing home, ​contact ​Attorney Bryant and his team today. It is important for family members to speak out on behalf of their elderly loved ones, because many times, elderly individuals are unable to speak up out of fear, embarrassment, isolation, or diseases such as Alzheimer’s that leave them more vulnerable to being abused. 

As one of the top elder abuse firms in San Diego for over 30 years, Joel R. Bryant can help recover the compensation you deserve. 

Reach out today for a free, confidential consultation to see if your case justifies legal action.