To understand elder neglect, you need to know what it is. Neglect is not usually intentional, but it can be. It’s a form of mistreatment that usually results from disregard for the needs of the elderly or because of carelessness. Elders who face neglect could be put into life-threatening situations as a result of not receiving the care they need.
Adult Protective Services receives many reports of neglect, and they should be informed of any case that involves your loved one as well. Some common kinds of abuse that are reported include:
- Physical neglect
- Abandonment
- Financial neglect
- Emotional neglect
- Self-neglect
Each of these is dangerous to an elder. Physical neglect, for example, may include not attending to a person’s hygienic or nutritional needs. Financial neglect could mean disregarding a person’s financial obligations, which can result in bills going unpaid.
In any case involving neglect, it’s important that those who are in an elder’s life speak up quickly. If a health care aide or other professional was supposed to be caring for your loved one, then they should be held accountable for failing to do so. If they cannot do their job according to the specifications, then they should not be able to continue working with the elderly.
Our website has more on elder abuse and what to do if your loved one has been injured as a result of neglect. We want to help you guarantee the safety of your loved one as soon as possible, so you can focus on getting them back to a positive state of health.
