This is the inflicting of psychological anguish, mental pain, distress, or fear on an elder. It can be verbal or non-verbal and includes humiliation, disrespect, intimidation, and threats.
Exploitation: This is the illegal or unauthorized taking, concealment, or misuse of an elderly adult’s money, property, belongings or assets for someone else’s benefit.
Legal liability for elder abuse can apply to caregivers, family argentina whatsapp number data members, nursing homes, or anyone responsible for the care and well-being of the elderly. When elder abuse happens in a care facility such as a nursing home, it can be held legally liable for the abuse in certain situations. For instance, where the elderly person was harmed due to a breach of regulatory or statutory obligations, understaffing issues, negligent hiring or an error with their medication.
It is common for nursing homes to outsource various functions such as security or catering to third parties. In cases where these third-party providers are responsible for caregiving, they too can be found to be negligent in the performance of their duties, potentially making them liable for the abuse of an elderly resident.
Federal Laws Protecting the Elderly
Several federal laws have been enacted which seek to safeguard the well-being and rights of the elderly. Some key examples of these laws include the following:
Title XX of the Social Security Act: Title XX of the Social Security Act also known as the Social Services Block Grant (SSBG), seeks to protect the elderly by providing federal funding to support a range of social programs and services including those aimed at improving the well-being and quality of life of elderly individuals, adult protective services, and the prevention of abuse and neglect of nursing home residents.