The idea that an elderly loved one is being abused or neglected is a horrible feeling, made worse by the fact that you may not know what to do about your suspicions. There are some steps you should consider taking if you suspect elder abuse, including:
- Try to talk to your loved one. When possible, try talking to your loved one first to confirm your suspicions. Assure him/her that there is no reason to be ashamed of being a victim nor to fear reprisals.
- Meet with a supervisor or administrator. Sometimes this can be extremely productive while other times you will only hear denials and the administration will start trying to cover up any wrongdoing.
- Make a police report. Elder abuse can be a criminal offense. Making a police report creates a paper trail and will hopefully lead to an investigation.
- File a formal complaint. In Indiana, you can file a complaint with Adult Protective Services.
- Consult an elder law attorney. While elder abuse is often a crime, elder abuse can also be the basis for a civil lawsuit against the perpetrator and/or the facility. It is always a good idea to discuss this possibility with an experienced elder law attorney. In addition, if your loved one is reluctant to speak out, or is suffering from dementia, you may need to petition for guardianship to move your loved one to a new facility.
