What questions should I ask if I think my loved one is the victim of elder abuse?

Despite how common elder abuse is in Florida, it’s not always easy to detect when a loved one is a victim of abuse, exploitation, neglect, or self-neglect. While there are many questions one can ask to determine whether a loved one is being abused, below are some recommended by the Stanford School of Medicine:

1) Do you feel safe where you live?

2) Who prepares your food?

3) Does someone help you with your medication?

4) Who takes care of your checkbook?

Of course, one can also ask more directly about the suspected abuse:

5) Does anyone ever hurt you?

6) Does anyone ever take things from you without asking?

7) Does anyone ever make you do things you don’t want to do?

8)) Have you signed anything strange lately?

9) Are you afraid of anyone at home?

10) Are you alone a lot?

            If your loved one’s answers convince you that there is reason to believe they are the victim of elder abuse, call the Florida Abuse Hotline, 1-800-962-2873, as soon as you can. You can also report the suspected abuse online at https://reportabuse.dcf.state.fl.us/.

To discuss the different legal remedies available to you, including guardianship, call Sean M. Byrne, Esq. of Bach, Jacobs & Byrne, P.A. at (941) 906-1231.