Concerned About A Loved One Being Mistreated in a Nursing Home in Ohio? A New Ohio Law Might Help!

elder abuse nursing home

Elder Abuse Law Passes In Ohio. Esther’s Law (Senate Bill 58) Goes Into Effect

Ohio Senate Passes New Bill Permitting Family Members To Install Cameras In Effort To Catch Elder Abuse

elder abuse nursing homeIn March of 2022, the Ohio Senate passed Bill 58. This bill permits family members to install cameras in nursing room homes in order to protect the welfare of their loved one. The name of this law is Esther’s Law, and it came about after 10 years of advocacy by Steve Piskor, an Ohio man who has fought tirelessly for this right to be given to families. Piskor’s mother, Esther Piskor had dementia, and was living in a nursing home in Cleveland. Due to her condition she couldn’t tell Steve what was going on, however he suspected that she wasn’t getting appropriate care. Wanting to monitor what was happening when he wasn’t there, he installed a hidden camera in her room.

Unfortunately, the camera confirmed his suspicions. He observed a great many incidents of elder abuse. Esther’s basic needs were not being tended to. She was verbally abused by aides, handled roughly, had liquids sprayed in her face, and had her face shoved into a pillow, among other … Read More... “Concerned About A Loved One Being Mistreated in a Nursing Home in Ohio? A New Ohio Law Might Help!”

Tips on Preventing Senior Financial Abuse. Don’t Let Your Family Get Ripped Off!

elder financial abuse identity theft

Senior Communities Suffer $3.4 Billion In Loss Due to Fraud and Scams in 2020. What can be Done?

elder financial abuse identity theftWhen older adults, especially those in long-term care facilities, become victims of a scam, it is known as elder financial abuse, and it is more common than you’d think.

In 2020, over 62,000 Suspicious Activity Reports filed with the federal government were regarding elder financial exploitation, amounting to $3.4 billion, according to the federal Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB). The average reported loss by elder financial abuse  victims is around $60,000.

So how does elder financial abuse happen?

“Unfortunately, there can be financial mistakes, fraud, or identity theft that occurs as a result of living in this kind of community. There are also instances of improper or inflated billing, double bill, and identity theft  by ‘bad apples’ on staff,” said Elizabeth Loewy, the former founding chief of the Elder Abuse Unit in the New York County District Attorney’s Office, in an interview with Nextavenue.org.

The COVID-19 pandemic also led to a rise of scams targeting vulnerable adults, as do other “times of crisis”, according to Kelly LaVigne, vice president of consumer insights at Allianz Life.

This kind … Read More... “Tips on Preventing Senior Financial Abuse. Don’t Let Your Family Get Ripped Off!”

Blast From The Past: Elder Abuse – What Must You or Should You Do?

Blast from the past 13 years Ohio Family Law Blog

PUBLISHER’S NOTE: This blog is as meaningful today as it was when we originally posted it on December 7, 2019. If you suspect elder abuse, please contact your local Adult Protective Services at the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services, toll free hotline at 1-855-644-6277.

Prevalence Of Elder Abuse On The Rise – The Signs To Look For And Contact Information

report elder abuseWith the population of senior citizens increasing at a rapid rate, so is the prevalence of elder abuse.  It is important to understand what constitutes elder abuse, looking for signs of elder abuse, who must report elder abuse and what you can do to help.

Elder abuse is knowingly or negligently causing harm or a serious risk of harm to a vulnerable adult.  Abuse includes neglect (where basic needs aren’t being met), exploitation (usually financial), physical abuse, emotional abuse and sexual abuse.

According to the Ohio Department of Aging, signs to look for include bruises, cuts or other physical harm, sudden behavior changes such as becoming less social, a caregiver who refuses to allow visitors to see the adult alone, unsafe or unclean living conditions, overuse or under-use of prescription medicine, poor personal hygiene or dehydration … Read More... “Blast From The Past: Elder Abuse – What Must You or Should You Do?”

Elder Abuse – What Must You or Should You Do?

report elder abuse

Prevalence Of Elder Abuse On The Rise – The Signs To Look For And Contact Information

report elder abuseWith the population of senior citizens increasing at a rapid rate, so is the prevalence of elder abuse.  It is important to understand what constitutes elder abuse, looking for signs of elder abuse, who must report elder abuse and what you can do to help.

Elder abuse is knowingly or negligently causing harm or a serious risk of harm to a vulnerable adult.  Abuse includes neglect (where basic needs aren’t being met), exploitation (usually financial), physical abuse, emotional abuse and sexual abuse.

According to the Ohio Department of Aging, signs to look for include bruises, cuts or other physical harm, sudden behavior changes such as becoming less social, a caregiver who refuses to allow visitors to see the adult alone, unsafe or unclean living conditions, overuse or under-use of prescription medicine, poor personal hygiene or dehydration or malnutrition, previously uninvolved relatives showing sudden interest in the adult’s rights, affairs and possessions, unexplained sudden transfers of assets or finances to an individual, abrupt changes in a will, financial documents, bank accounts or banking practice or unexplained disappearances of funds or valuable possessions.

What

… Read More... “Elder Abuse – What Must You or Should You Do?”