Elder abuse is as real as child abuse. When your aging family member’s health starts failing or mentally they are starting to slip, additional help is probably needed for care.
Getting the right care is essential. Whether your family member is staying in their own home with round the clock nurses or moving into an ALF, making careful selections on care providers is critical to your loved one’s well being.
Your mother seems quieter than usual lately. Your father has unexplained bruises. Money is disappearing from accounts that were always healthy. The caregiver who was supposed to bring peace of mind is now the source of your greatest worry or a family member may have their hands in the bank account.
If any of this sounds familiar, you may be facing a case of elder abuse. What can you do about it?
At 49th Street Investigations in Clearwater, Florida, we conduct professional, discreet elder abuse investigations for families throughout Pinellas County and the entire state of Florida. Here’s what every family needs to know.
Elder abuse is when a senior citizen is taken advantage of in either a physical, mental or financial capacity. When the best interests of the senior are not put first, this is a clue that elder abuse may be occurring.
Florida is home to one of the largest senior populations in the country, with nearly 20% of residents over the age of 65. Unfortunately, that also makes the state a hotbed for elder abuse, neglect, and financial exploitation. According to www.flsenate.gov one in ten elders is abused, but incidents of elder abuse are reported in less than 5% of cases.
Unfortunately, most of the common perpetrators are relatives, friends, neighbors or caregivers whom the elder trusts or fears. Florida has long been a destination state for senior citizens and has the highest percentage of senior residents in the entire nation. In 2018, Florida had an estimated 4.3 million people age 65 and older, approximately 20 percent of the state’s population. By 2030, this number is projected to increase to 5.9 million, meaning the elderly will make up approximately one quarter of the state’s population and will account for most of the state’s growth.
Knowing the warning signs early can be the difference between protecting your loved one and missing the window to take action.
Physical Abuse – unexplained bruises, wounds, welts, broken bones, and injuries that don’t seem consistent with the explanation given by the caregiver or family member.
Emotional and Psychological Abuse – sudden behavioral changes, withdrawal, and unusual anxiety can also be indicators of emotional mistreatment. Fear and silence are red flags that abuse may be happening.
Financial Exploitation – this can include improper account access, pressure to sign documents, or unauthorized transfers. Because these actions may look legal on the surface, families often miss the early warning signs. Changes to a will, closing of checking or savings accounts, name changes on the bank accounts are all signs of possible abuse.
Neglect – unqualified care can lead to neglect. Poor hygiene, dehydration, untreated medical conditions, and an unkempt living environment can be quick clues that an elderly person is being neglected.
Elder abuse can happen not only in nursing homes or assisted living centers but also in in-home caregiving situations. When caregivers lack proper qualifications or exhibit unkind behavior, the risk of abuse increases significantly in the home.
Hiring a private investigator is a great step toward understanding potential abuse cases. We are asked these questions quite regularly, and we can certainly help you if you suspect elder abuse:
Can a private investigator help with nursing home neglect?
How do I prove elder abuse without going to court?
What can a PI do that the police can’t in an elder abuse case?
Is it legal to hire a private investigator to monitor a caregiver?
Can a private investigator gather evidence of financial elder abuse?
Law enforcement and the Department of Children and Families are sometimes not enough. Government agencies are spread thin, with the hundreds of cases already in front of them, you won’t receive the individual attention you probably want. The work of a private investigator (PI) is confidential and is exclusively for your family’s interests to discover the real truth. At 49th Street Private Investigations we offer surveillance and monitoring, caregiver background checks, financial investigation, and we will collaborate with law enforcement and attorneys to get the straight story.
We are licensed and insured and we serve all of Pinellas County and the entire State of Florida.
Evidence gathered from working with a licensed private investigator can be used in a court hearing if gathered correctly. PI evidence is admissible in court. As our private investigators gather evidence, we do it discreetly so as not to tip off the abuser which can happen when a family tries to collect evidence. If you suspect your loved one is in immediate danger call the Florida Abuse Hotline at 1-800-962-2873.
We look forward to answering any questions you may have. Contact us today if you suspect elder abuse is happening to your loved one, call us at 727-506-8937. We look forward to helping you!
