According to the best available estimates, between 1 and 2 million Americans age 65 or older have been injured, exploited, or otherwise mistreated by someone on whom they depended for care or protection.

These vulnerable elders are subject to injury and to premature death, often from caregivers and family members. Elder financial exploitation—commonly linked with other forms of abuse and neglect—threatens the health, dignity, and economic security of millions of older Americans.

The specificity of laws varies from state to state, but broadly defined, abuse may be:

• Physical Abuse – Inflicting, or threatening to inflict, physical pain or injury on a vulnerable elder, or depriving them of a basic need
• Emotional Abuse – Inflicting mental pain, anguish, or distress on an elder person through verbal or nonverbal acts
• Sexual Abuse – Non-consensual sexual contact of any kind
• Exploitation – Illegal taking, misuse, or concealment of funds, property, or assets of a vulnerable elder
• Neglect – Refusal or failure by those responsible to provide food, shelter, health care or protection for a vulnerable elder
• Abandonment – The desertion of a vulnerable elder by anyone who has assumed the responsibility for care or custody of that person

Miorini Law PLLC can assist seniors to protect themselves from abuse. Please contact us to discuss your concerns.