Understanding the Nature of Elder Abuse

Our nation's elderly are men and women just like us who have lived their life to the fullest. They are not just elder adults, they are people with feelings, emotions and self respect. Unfortunately, every year hundreds of thousands of elderly adults fall victim to the abusive behaviors of their caregivers, nursing homes and even family members.

Elder abuse refers to the knowing, intentional or neglectful act by a caregiver or other adult that causes harm to the elder adult or puts them at a serious risk of harm. Elder abuse is such a common, wide-spread problem that legislatures have enacted some form of elder abuse prevention laws in all 50 states. Elder abuse occurs in various forms including:

Neglect - Failure to ensure proper hygiene, proper feeding or nutrition, healthcare, or shelter.

Physical Abuse - Restraining the elder adult such as tying them to the bed rails, squeezing them, slapping, hitting, and punching, over medicating or unnecessary sedation.

Sexual Abuse - This entails any kind of non-consensual sexual contact, or forcing the elder adult to undress, or forcing the elder adult to watch pornographic material etc.

Emotional Abuse - This can refer to any kind of humiliation, verbal threats, derogatory remarks, social isolation or intimidation.

Financial Exploitation - Stealing the elder adult's personal belongings, taking cash, writing checks for the caregiver's benefit, withdrawing money from an ATM machine, identity theft, taking out credit cards in the elder adult's name etc.

Unfortunately, due to an elder adult's vulnerability or medical conditions, they often suffer in silence. As a close friend or family member it's important to stay alert if you suspect elder abuse. Common signs of elder abuse may include: sudden unexplained weight loss, poor hygiene, unclean living quarters, unexplained bruising or restraint marks, lethargy, bruising around the inner thighs or gentiles, arguments with the staff, or any sudden or strange changes in mood or behavior.

As a family member or loved one, often times we have to put our loved one in a nursing home, extended living care facility or we have to hire a caregiver to take care of them when we no longer can. Unfortunately, elder abuse is a large problem that cannot be ignored. If you suspect anything or something doesn't feel right, you should look into the matter. Often times nursing homes are over-extended and short-staffed. As a result, their patients receive subpar care and become neglected.

Other times the elder patients are victims of downright intentional abuse. Whether they are physically harmed, sexually abused or a victim of financial exploitation, their caregiver needs to be brought to justice so no one else gets harmed by this person's unscrupulous acts. If you suspect elder abuse, contact an attorney right away. They will be able to inform you of your rights and the proper legal procedures to follow. With proper protocol, you can help your loved one become free of their abuser so they don't have to suffer anymore.

Do You Suspect Nursing Home Negligence or Abuse?

Making the decision to place your loved one in the care of a nursing home or extended living facility may have come with mixed emotions. You may have sensed a loss due to the fact that things have gone beyond your control, while on the other hand, you may have felt a sense of relief knowing that your loved one will be receiving round the clock care.

Much like young children, our nation's elderly population can be physically incapable of caring for themselves. Often times, the day will come when they will need ongoing professional care. Unfortunately, because of their inherently vulnerable nature, they can be subject to different types of abuse. In fact, nursing home negligence and abuse is a larger problem than people might think. It is not limited to the shoddiest of nursing homes or only to those people without money. Nursing home negligence can happen in any nursing home or extended living facility - even the nicest, most expensive homes have had reports of neglect and abuse.

In fact, according to "Elder Mistreatment: Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation in an Aging America" sent out by the National Research Council Panel to Review Risk and Prevalence of Elder Abuse and Neglect, it is roughly estimated that between one and two million Americans over the age of 65 will experience abuse of some sort in a year - no matter whether this involves financial abuse or physical injuries. Other studies have found that despite these harrowing numbers, a mere one in fourteen incidents will ever be reported to authorities - making our estimations of elder abuse a mere fraction of the actual abuse that is occurring.

Why does this happen? First of all, many nursing homes are at maximum capacity. Americans are living longer now than ever before. In an effort to keep costs down, nursing homes sometimes hire underpaid and undertrained staff who eventually wind up being overworked. Even the most well-meaning employees can neglect to properly care for a resident when they are stretched too thin.

Other times nursing home negligence or abuse is downright intentional. A dishonest person can inadvertently be hired by the home. They can commit small crimes such as petty theft or they can be involved in full-fledged identity theft schemes. Financial exploitation can go undetected for years before the perpetrator is eventually caught.

Nursing home abuse can be far more sinister than theft crimes. It can involve actual physical and sexual abuse. Both physical and sexual abuse is probably the most worrisome types of abuse associated with nursing homes. Virtually any form of abuse imaginable can go on behind closed doors. Often times the elderly suffer in silence. They may keep the abuse to themselves out of fear of their attackers or an overwhelming sense of shame. Furthermore, their complaints might fall on deaf ears. People can dismiss complaints as hysterical or delusional when in fact they are very real.

Physical abuse can include any form of abuse imaginable. It can involve hitting, punching, striking, grabbing the elderly individual in a rough manner or heavily sedating them. Sexual abuse can include forcing the elderly patient to watch pornographic material, forcing them to undress, fondling or rape.

Elder abuse can also involve the use of restraints, overmedicating, and social isolation. It typically results in physical, emotional and psychological damage for the victim. If you suspect nursing home negligence or abuse, you must contact an experienced personal injury attorney without delay. Nursing home negligence is an entire aspect of personal injury law that has gained recognition in the legal community and in the courts. Your loved one may be entitled to compensation for medical expenses and pain and suffering. In the very least, a lawsuit will help draw attention to the problem so nobody else will have to suffer at the hands of the abuser. Calling an attorney will be your first step to bringing the abuser or the facility to justice!

Financial Assistance For Elderly Veterans and Their Widows is a Well Kept Secret

Ask an elderly Veteran if they are aware they may be eligible for a pension from the Veteran's Administration and they will tell you "I'm not eligible because I was not injured in the War." This is a common misconception which keeps many Veterans from tapping into a benefit they well earned by serving our country. The fact is elderly, disabled Veterans and their widows may very well qualify for large sums of money, but they have to apply for the funds. There are several Veteran pensions, but the pension designed to help elderly Veterans and Veteran's Widows pay for costly Home Health Care, Assisted Living Facility or Nursing Home fees (if the Veteran is not covered by Medicaid) is called Special Monthly Pension with Aid and Attendance. The pension can pay a married Veteran up to $1,949.00 per month, an unmarried Veteran up to $1,644.00 per month and a Veteran's Widow can receive up to $1,056.00 per month. The amount one receives is based upon their medical expenses and their current financial and medical status. The pension is paid by check directly to the Veteran or Veteran's Widow every month as long as they meet the criteria.

The Special Monthly Pension with Aid and Attendance is the government's best kept secret. I cannot tell you how many seniors have told me that they called Veterans Affairs and were actually told that this pension does not exist or that they do not qualify. For thirteen years, I have assisted Veterans and Veteran's Widows in obtaining these funds - they really do exist.

To get the maximum pension amount, a Veteran must qualify medically and financially and must have served their country for at least one day during "War Time". Also the Veteran must have been honorably discharged. Every case is considered individually. If a Veteran or Veteran's Widow feels they may qualify, they can apply for the pension. The pension can take many months to actually be approved. The average waiting period is three to eight months. The first check will be retroactive to the month the application arrived at the Veterans' Affairs, therefore the first check may be for thousands of dollars. Subsequent checks will arrive monthly for the approved amount. This pension money can mean the difference between affording adequate care for an aging Veteran/ Widow or having no care at all.

As with any governmental program, success is all in the paperwork. The pension application is many pages long and some of it is in essay form. It is the exact wording used in the essay areas that mean the difference between approval and denial. Also, Veteran's Affairs does not tell Veterans about all the supporting documents that they would like to see. The better the medical and financial records, the better the chances are of approval. Including the right medical forms signed by a doctor is very important for approval. Also typical of governmental red tape is the frustrating lack of communication. Once the application is filed and in the process of being reviewed, it is nearly impossible to get an update or check on the status of the application unless the Veteran/ Widow make the call themselves. For most of our clients, they are too ill or too confused to make a call like that.

In a perfect world, financial assistance for those who qualify should be easily accessible and easy to get. But the reality is that government agencies are inherently complicated and their application processes are never self explanatory or simple. Ignorance of the rules is no excuse and no one will tell you the rules. The rules are written in a handbook, but the Veterans Affairs is not allowed to give them to you. Seasoned Eldercare professionals can often navigate these processes for you. They may charge for their services, but to attempt to do it yourself and have your application denied, will cost much more money. The Department of Veterans' Affairs supposedly employs staff to help Veterans and their Widows apply for these pensions for free, but it is these very people who have told so many seniors that they do not qualify, when in fact they could qualify if they made one small change. Perhaps Veteran's Affairs is afraid that if they made it easy for every Veteran to apply, the pension fund would go broke. Given that War Time includes the Gulf War Era which began in 1990 and has not ended yet, I anticipate the pension fund will one day be either broke or impossible to get. For now, the money is very much available and attainable.

Here are the Special Monthly Pension with Aid and Attendance eligibility criteria for the year 2008.

1) Veteran served in the Military for at least one day during War Time or had a spouse who served at that time. Spouses are people whom you never divorced.
2) Honorably Discharged from the Military.
3) Currently has medical or psychological condition which make the Veteran or Veteran widow dependent on the aid or assistance of a non- family member in order to meet their daily care needs or they reside in an Assisted Living Facility or Nursing Home ( not on Medicaid). This claim must be supported by physician signed forms, financial data and medical records.
4) Veteran Financial Criteria: Have assets in their own name below $80,000 (if married) or below $50,000 (if single). The car and house does not count as an asset. Annual income below $19,736,.00 (if single) or $ 23,396.00 (if married) after all medical expenses such as insurance premiums/copays, assisted living facility fees, paid caregiver salary, medications, medical transportation/ supplies, certain housing expenses, etc.
5) Veteran Widow Financial Criteria: Assets below $50,000 and income less than $12,681 per year (after medical expenses listed above).
6) Note: Income figures are AFTER MEDICAL EXPENSES. VA may require someone of advanced age to have fewer assets than quoted above. We have seen this when applicants are near 100 years old.

In many cases, if a person has a paid care giver, such as a nurse's aide, or they pay an assisted living facility, or they pay out of pocket for a nursing home, those expenses impact so greatly on a person's net income, that they will meet the criteria for the income level.

If a Veteran or Veteran Widow has cash assets above the limit, they are allowed to place those assets into certain investments in order to have them "sheltered". This sheltering does not have a penalty or "look back period" associated with it. Proper asset sheltering for Special Monthly Pension with Aid and Attendance should be done under the supervision of an elder care professional or attorney well versed in Medicaid planning because one could easily ruin the chances of ever getting Medicaid if the V.A. pension planning was done incorrectly.

With a little professional planning, many Veterans and Veteran Widows can receive pensions that make a significant difference in the amount of care they receive. After all, the reason for this particular pension is to assure that a Veteran or Veteran Widow does not live in a substandard environment in their old age. It takes a little work to apply for this pension, but anything worth having usually does.

Scabies at Day Care, Schools and Nursing Homes - How to Protect Yourself Or Your Child

In Florida, I've recently heard of three nursing homes in the area that had scabies cases. A client of mine at the mental health clinic told me that she couldn't get elimite at the local pharmacy as it had sold out. Her child had picked it up at the local child care center from another student. I spoke to a nurse at the mental health clinic where I work and she said that she feels itchy when leaving the assisted living facility she works at one time a week but she's never contracted scabies.

Scabies are very tiny mites so they can't be seen by the naked eye. They can be spread by skin contact such as holding hands and sexual relations, as well as by sharing clothing or bedding. Kids play very close to each other and get into wrestling and close contact looking at baseball cards, cell phone pictures and coloring together. At nursing homes people sit next to each other watching tv, hug each other for support and sometimes share clothing with their roommates. Sharing head phones can spread it as well and kids tend to do this with ipods often.

With scabies you may first itch before you notice the rash. Common spots are the arm pits, webs of fingers, wrists, stomach area and buttocks. Kids can get scabies on their faces but adults generally don't. You may also see the little burrow lines that are white, grey or red where the female egg zig zags under your skin to lay the eggs. These are difficult to see due to their thinness.

Permethrin cream is applied to the skin and left on over night to kill the scabies. At the same time, a thorough wash is needed in very hot water for the clothing and bedding. After 24 hours kids can go back to school, but be aware that if other kids are carrying scabies or untreated, one can get re-infected. This is one reason why they foud that a nursing home kept having residents re-infected. People weren't treated that had scabies and when they were, they didn't apply the cream under the nails. This is an important area that gets forgotten. When people scratch themselves , they can easiy spread what's under their finger nails to others. Scabies is not difficult to treat, but it needs to be done properly and with attention to detail.

Pet Friendly Retirement Communities

Since we are in the aging of America, many baby boomers have pets for companions. It is said that seniors live longer, happier, healthier lives with a pet.

Most communities or developments do consider themselves as pet retirement communities. What does this mean? In general, it means that pets are o.k. to have and are not prohibited. However, depending where you live, in a pet retirement community, there may be restrictions on the pet you own. For example, you may not be allowed to own Pit Bulls, Doberman Pinchers, or dogs weighing over a certain weight. Your pet friendly communities or development has what are called 'Docs' or Documents that do have restrictions listed.

The pet friendly retirement communities you choose may have a certain area that is dedicated to a pet park. There may also be restrictions on where you can walk your pet. Be sure to carry all the paraphernalia needed to poop-a-scoop.

Are you going to an assisted living community or independent living community? Be sure to review their policies as to a friendly retirement communities:

* a deposit to cover pet related damages.
* insurance against dog bites
* pet care fee's for pet care you can't provide
* vet availability

It really is not uncommon to see pets in friendly retirement communities. Ask those around you in the community where you plan to retire. They will tell you what a delight it is to have a pet companion in their lives.

Like anything else, do your due diligence in your research for you and your pet retirement communities.

Adult Day Care: 5 Reasons It's a Preferred Alternative to a Nursing Home

Adult day care centers are a preferred alternative to nursing home or institutional care, providing activities, opportunities for socialization, convenience, and independence all while providing expert health care dedicated to helping clients improve daily functioning or delay worsening of conditions. There are many reasons to consider adult day care, including the following benefits.

1. Prolonged Independence and Improved Daily Functioning

Medical adult day care centers promote their clients' ability to remain independent by supplementing the assistance they receive from family caregivers with a program of health care services and activities custom-tailored to each individual's needs and interests.

By taking part in these activities, clients receive cognitive and physical stimulation that helps to enhance well-being while delaying or preventing a decline in health that would ultimately lead to placement in an assisted living facility or nursing home. In addition, many offer on-site specialists to provide physical therapy, speech therapy, and occupational therapy. These therapists work with clients to improve daily functioning by developing strength, range of motion, balance and cognitive abilities.

2. Nutrition and Medication Management is a Priority

Ensuring that clients receive proper nutrition and medication each day in the absence of their family caregivers is an important factor in fulfilling the commitment of helping clients maintain the best possible quality of life and well-being.

Caregivers can be assured that nutrition is a top priority. Adult day care centers provide appetizing, wholesome meals and snacks that are approved by a dietician. Meals served at centers typically include provisions for diabetics, vegetarians, sodium-restricted or low-cholesterol diets and other special dietary needs.

Additionally, the staff can administer medications and injections as prescribed, monitoring the effectiveness of the treatment and relaying this information to the client's physician, caregivers and case manager.

3. A Cost-Effective Alternative to Nursing Homes or Institutions

Adult day care centers offer the most cost-effective long-term care option. While costs differ based on care level and geographic region, nationwide averages show that the annual costs for medical adult day care services are significantly less than those for other long-term care options.

In many cases, services may be paid in part or in full by Medicaid, the Veterans Administration, or private long-term care insurance, although coverage varies by state and policy. Additionally, out-of-pocket expenditures may qualify as a tax-deductible medical expense.

4. The Convenience of Door-to-Door Transportation

Some adult day care centers provide flexible, door-to-door transportation for their clients within a convenient radius of the center.

In addition to transportation to and from centers, many also escort their clients to medical appointments when needed. This service is particularly helpful for caregivers who maintain full- or part-time employment outside the home, as it decreases disruption of and distraction from their work day.

5. Effective Management of Chronic Conditions

When clients come to an adult day care center, they typically receive a customized care plan that incorporates cognitive and physical activities as appropriate in order to help them remain active and intellectually stimulated throughout the day while maintaining or improving their present level of independence and functioning.

Adult day care centers typically staff skilled RNs, LPNs, personal care assistants, activities staff, and therapists who play an important role in helping their clients address the challenges of chronic conditions. The staff is able to help by assisting with daily personal care and hygiene, nutrition and medication management, blood pressure and blood sugar monitoring, tracheotomy care and tube feeding, and offering on-site physical, speech and occupational therapy. Additionally, many centers will work with families in the implementation of these health management and therapeutic techniques, so they can take an active role in the client's care and treatment at home.

Adult day care centers provide many benefits for both caregivers and their loved ones. The convenience, health assurance, socialization, and cost all contribute to the many reasons that adult day care is becoming a preferred choice for caregivers. The decision for what type if care is best for your loved one can be difficult. Before making the decision, consider if adult day care may be the right choice for these reasons, and many more.

55+ Communities: The Difference Between Nursing Homes, Continuing Care Retirement And Active Living

If you're approaching retirement age, you might be wondering about the difference between the types of housing options for seniors. From continuing care to 55+ communities, there are a number of options to help seniors, no matter what they're looking for. Living in one of these places can provide seniors with a variety of activities to keep them busy, but how do you know which is right for you?

55+ Communities

These are specially planned areas with seniors in mind. They're typically in warmer weather climates and offer amenities like fitness centers with pools, spas, tennis courts, bocce courts, golf courses, meeting rooms, ball rooms, arts and crafts centers, dancing lessons, on-site restaurants and more. Residents can choose to live in their own home or apartment and many offer gated security that's available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Although these 55+ communities are for people as they live out their retirement years, they are not retirement homes. They do not have nursing staff or other medical personnel on site and are not intended for residents with serious medical conditions that require constant care.

55+ communities have age requirements that must be met before residents can move in. Consideration is made if one member of a couple is over 55, however many have restrictions on the length of time guests under 55 can stay in the community. This sometimes mean that other family members need to stay in a hotel for an extended visit, so check on these restrictions before buying a home if you expect to have long-term out of town guests.

Some 55+ communities that offer active living lifestyles offer special weekend getaways for people who are thinking of moving to the area. If you're interested in trying out the active living lifestyle before committing yourself to buying a home and moving in full-time, consider one of these weekends. This will let you try out a number of 55+ communities to make sure you've found the one that's right for you.

Nursing Homes

Nursing homes provide round the clock care to residents. They're ideal for people who need continuous care like physical, occupational or other therapies. Nurses and other staff will help residents bathe, get dressed, eat and more. Once someone goes to live in a nursing home, they often stay there for the rest of their life, although some residents can be rehabilitated to the point where they no longer require long-term professional care.

Continuing Care Retirement Communities

A continuing care retirement community blends aspects of active living with the care available at a nursing home. They're the ideal situation for seniors who require daily assistance, yet do not need the constant, round the clock care of a nursing home. Seniors can live independently, yet move into assisted living as it's necessary. These typically don't offer as many amenities as 55+ communities.

Choosing where to live after retirement can be a big decision. Many seniors have active living lifestyles before retirement, and want to continue this lifestyle afterwards. Knowing the difference between these types of housing options can help you make a knowledgeable decision on the one that best fits your needs.