Thousands of elderly people suffer abuse, neglect, and exploitation each year while residing in nursing homes and other types of senior care facilities. In many cases, the victims are dependent, vulnerable, and frail, and cannot advocate for their own interests or meet their own basic needs. Fortunately, each state has laws that prohibit elder abuse.
To protect the elderly, friends and family members who visit must recognize the warning signs of elder abuse. The abuse may be physical and include bruises or other marks. Abuse can also be in the form of neglect, such that a resident appears dehydrated or malnourished, or is experiencing infections due to untreated bedsores.
