Elder abuse, the intentional or unintentional hurting of a person who is 60 years or older, has reached epidemic proportions in our country. The perpetrators of this abuse on senior citizens come in many guises. They can be trusted professionals, such as doctors, caregivers, bankers, or accountants; or they can be neighbors, relatives, spouses or even strangers. Their abuse may take the form of physical abuse or mental abuse—or both.

Elder abuse usually occurs in one of two locations:

• Domestic elder abuse (in the elder's home)
• Institutional elder abuse (in a nursing home or other long-term-care facility)

Physical abuse is described as physical force that results in injury, impairment or physical pain, or the threat of such force. The types of physical abuse an elderly person may be subjected to are:

• Assault (for example, during a mugging)
• Beating, hitting (with or without an object) paddling, slapping or punching
• Pushing, shoving, shaking, choking or throwing
• Kicking, pinching, biting or scratching
• Spitting, force-feeding, hair-pulling, or burning
• Inappropriate use of drugs and physical restraints
• Rough handling during caregiving, moving the body or administering drugs

Unfortunately, senior citizens, the elderly, are easy targets. In most circumstances their illnesses prevent them from standing up for themselves. Thus, with no one to turn to they may suffer relentlessly.

Mental or emotional abuse of the elderly can range from a simple verbal insult to an extreme form of verbal punishment such as:

• Ignoring the elder
• Isolating the elderly person from family, friends, or regular activities
• Habitual scapegoating or blaming
• Harassment, name-calling, cursing, ridiculing or insulting
• Yelling or screaming

If you suspect your loved one is being subjected to any of the aforementioned abuses, please contact us at Vieira Trial Law. Our highly experienced trial attorneys are committed to helping each individual they represent. They work on the behalf of others to help improve the quality of life for our seniors and elderly loved ones. It is important to contact our firm if you know of someone in a serious abusive situation. If you need a lawyer who can help obtain proper care and compensation for the wrongs you or a loved one have suffered, contact us today.