In 1995, in Spain, it was agreed to define elder abuse as: "Any act or omission that produces harm, intentional or not, practiced on persons 65 years of age and older, occurring in the family, community or institutional environment, which violates or endangers the physical or psychological integrity, as well as the principle of autonomy or the rest of the fundamental rights of the individual, objectively verifiable or subjectively perceived".
In the last decades, sadly, the mistreatment of the elderly has increased and for this reason, it has been cataloged as a "new disease", not because it did not exist before, but because it had not been given the importance it deserved. This problem is currently included in the International Classification of Diseases.
That is why, as Kitchener injury lawyers, concerned about the welfare of all people (regardless of age, sex, or other classification), we bring to everyone's attention some of the reasons why an elderly person may take legal action against caregivers, medical personnel, family members and/or any outside person who harasses their physical, emotional and even financial integrity.
What does elder abuse encompass for which a Kitchener personal injury lawyer can be called upon?
An increasing number of seniors are suffering from some form of elder abuse. By "elder abuse," we mean abusive treatment by caregivers, family, and strangers towards the elderly, including:
• - mistreatment due to negligence, which is the most frequent
• - Abandonment,
• - psychological abuse,
• - economic abuse and
• - physical abuse.
Any elderly person who is a victim of such treatment has the right to go to higher instances to sue the responsible party and make him/her pay for the damages caused. Even if you are not the direct victim, but a close family member is, you can seek the help and advice of a Kitchener personal injury lawyer to have the situation properly assessed.
What are the difficulties that arise in determining whether or not there is elder abuse?
The instruments for measuring abuse that is currently available are not highly refined or adapted to various cultural realities, so the work of a Kitchener injury lawyer is sometimes hampered for the following reasons:
• - Lack of registration by health care professionals.
• - Lack of knowledge on the part of family members
• - Emotional involvement forces the victim to take a passive stance
• - Differences in criteria regarding what constitutes elder abuse.
• - Professional and social attitude towards the elderly
• - Fear on the part of the elderly person to recognize the abuse and to communicate it.
Because of this, ABPC Law's team of professionals will look for professionals specialized in this area that will allow them to assess and score the signs or symptoms suggestive of neglect, also the attitude of the caregiver, and the therapeutic compliance in case of suspicion of elder abuse will be evaluated.
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