According to the Administration on Aging, elder abuse is “a term referring to any knowing, intentional or negligent act by a caregiver or any other person that causes harm or a serious risk of harm to a vulnerable adult.” The National Council on Aging (NCOA) reports that as many as 5 million seniors experience some form of elder abuse each year. Scams that involve caregivers are usually associated with theft, financial exploitation and/or other criminal acts. In this article, A-1 Home Care identifies some warning signs to watch for:
1. Unusual closeness to your elderly loved ones
If your elderly loved one recently made a “new friend” with a neighbor or found a caregiver without your knowledge, pay close attention to their emotional bond. Does this new person seem to bond too well, too soon? Is this person getting too close for comfort, in your opinion? If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, trust your gut.
2. Verbal abuse
Does the live-in caregiver get snappy with your loved one? Does your elderly loved one seem to spend excessive time alone with the caregiver, who happens to also severely limit social visits by family and friends? This may be a sign that the caregiver is trying to hide emotional abuse and/or negligence.
3. Physical marks
Have you found any inexplicable marks on your loved one’s body, such as bruises, burns and abrasions? If the caregiver’s or your loved one’s explanations don’t sound right or something feels off, don’t ignore the signs, especially if you notice broken bones, sudden hair or tooth loss.
4. Too much access to funds
Many caregivers assist seniors with managing funds, but has your elderly loved one or his caregiver recently asked you to sign some papers? It might be possible that the caregiver has coaxed your elderly loved one to sign over his life savings to her if the caregiver is also romantically involved with your parent.
Prevent These Scenarios with Licensed, Bonded and Insured Home Care
Your elderly loved one does not have to become a statistic. Look for reputable licensed, bonded and insured home care agencies like A-1 Home Care, which happens to be one of the few agencies that have successfully received licensure from the State of California. Being licensed, bonded and insured means that your elderly loved ones are protected from fraud, theft, elder abuse, and scams.
A-1 Home Care in Diamond Bar is committed to senior safety and wellness by only recruiting caregivers with pristine backgrounds. Each caregiver is required to pass an extensive criminal background, sex offender and DMV record check. All professional references are verified. A-1 Home Care guarantees client safety and customer satisfaction, and we are grateful to say that our clientele continually refer their friends and family to us because of the exceptional senior care they have received for their loved ones.
To hire a caregiver, call A-1 Home Care today (909) 861-7700 or visit us at www.diamondbarinhomecare.com to learn more about hospice care in Diamond Bar, Arcadia, Pomona, Chino, Covina, San Dimas, and other cities in Los Angeles County.
In Home Care in Diamond Bar CA // 626-287-0250 or 562-929-8400 