Tragic Testimony of Mickey Rooney Sheds Light on Elder Abuse

The problem of elder abuse can take many forms: physical, emotional and financial. A skilled attorney, however, can help you put an end to the abuse.

2011-06-12

June 12, 2011 (Press-News.org) In March of 2011, 90-year-old actor Mickey Rooney tearfully testified before the Senate Aging Committee about an oft-hidden pervasive problem affecting our aging population: elder abuse. Rooney was uniquely qualified to discuss the issue, seeing as he recently resorted to getting a restraining order against his 52-year-old stepson, accusing the man of intimidating him, holding him against his will, starving him, not allowing him to read the mail and withholding necessary medications.

Unfortunately, Rooney is not alone in this tragic situation. As he said to the Committee, "if it can happen to me, it can happen to anyone." A 2009 report issued by the Government Accountability Office (GAO) showed that 14 percent of non-institutionalized elder adults suffer from some form of abuse annually. According to the New York Times, a survey performed by the Investors Protection Trust proves that even more -- 20 percent -- have been defrauded.

What is Elder Abuse?

The elderly are particularly vulnerable to various forms of abuse because oftentimes they are mentally incapacitated by disease or the ravages of time and are physically weakened by the effects of age. Rooney succinctly described the frustrations of being abused by a trusted loved one by saying he was "trapped, scared, used and frustrated," but also afraid to blow the whistle.

There are definite signs to look for if you suspect an elderly loved one is being abused, mistreated or neglected, however. Be on the lookout for physical signs like bruises, bedsores, broken bones or burns, and other indicators such as:

- Frequent arguments between the elderly person and the suspected abuser -- this can be an expression of frustration on the part of the victim
- Unexplained withdrawals from the elderly person's checking or savings accounts, which can indicate someone with a power of attorney is embezzling funds
- Sudden increases in fees from financial advisors can indicate "churning," a process in which bills are inflated to defraud the victim
- Unannounced transfers of sizable amounts of money or real estate can be a sign of someone exerting undue influence over a vulnerable senior citizen

If you suspect that an elderly person you love is being physically, mentally or financially abused, contact the appropriate authorities immediately. And, as soon as possible, contact an experienced elder law attorney in your area to discuss legal options like restitution of misused funds, establishing a trust or having criminal charges filed against the abuser.

Article provided by Platt & Westby, P.C.
Visit us at www.plattwestby.com

ELSE PRESS RELEASES FROM THIS DATE:

Challenging a Will in Florida: Undue Influence and Incapacity

2011-06-12

When a family member has been largely excluded from or completely left out of a will, he or she may feel a desire to mount a legal challenge. This is most often true when the intentions expressed in the document do not meet the expectations of a son, daughter, grandchild, sibling or other person who had a significant relationship with the deceased. However, seeking to overturn a will that has been properly executed according to Florida law can be extremely difficult. In general, proper execution means that the testator signed the will in the presence of two witnesses, ...

Small Businesses Continue to File for Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Protection

2011-06-12

Under bankruptcy law, both individuals and businesses may file for Chapter 7 debt relief. With today's economy still lagging, small businesses are still turning to Chapter 7 to liquidate their outstanding debts. While individuals seeking Chapter 7 protection typically get a fresh start, the result of filing is very different for businesses, which many times must sell off any assets and shut down. A business owner should consult an experienced bankruptcy attorney about the potential impact and outcomes of Chapter 7 bankruptcy before filing. Bankruptcy Trends In 2010, ...

Appeals Processing From Immigration Court Decisions

2011-06-12

Each year, I consult with hundreds of individuals who have been ordered to leave the US by Immigration Judges. In the vast majority of these cases, the person had applied for some form of relief from removal, such as asylum, and the Immigration Judge denied the claim and either granted the person voluntary departure or simply ordered deportation. The Immigration & Nationality ACT (INA) sets forth procedural rules applicable to appealing decisions of Immigration Judges through the US Department of Justice; and appealing those decisions to the US Courts of Appeal. In ...

ICE Arrests Continue Under The Obama Administration

2011-06-12

Despite widespread and, in some cases, high-profile outcry against the detention and deportation of certain undocumented immigrants in the US, US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has been stepping-up arrest and detention levels of immigrants in the US to levels unseen even during the Bush administration. Many of these arrests have come about as a result of well-publicized "worksite raids," where ICE has been targeting manufacturing, construction and food service industries for large-scale assaults designed to round up multiple "undocumented aliens" ...

Know What to Expect in Your Texas Personal Injury Case

2011-06-12

Although no two personal injury cases in Texas will ever follow exactly the same path, there is a progression of general stages that almost every claim will go through. Should you choose to pursue a personal injury claim, your lawyer can explain the process in greater detail and apply it to your unique circumstances. But, after suffering an injury, many victims wonder just what will happen in the course of their personal injury suit. Having a basic sense of what to expect can help put your mind at ease and allow you to make informed, thought-out decisions. Pre-filing Some ...

Abbie Dorn Case Highlights Challenges of Disabled Parents Seeking Custody or Visitation

2011-06-12

Earlier this year a California judge heard the tragic case of a paralyzed, semiconscious mother of three who, according to her parents, is being denied a relationship with the children whose delivery nearly killed her. Three years ago, expectant mother Abbie Dorn headed to the hospital in labor with triplets. While two of the children were delivered without incident, before the third could be born, the doctor inadvertently slashed Ms. Dorn's uterus while performing a Caesarean section. The resulting blood loss caused heart failure, and malfunctioning medical equipment prevented ...

Problematic DUI Detection in Utah

2011-06-12

The Utah Commission on Criminal and Juvenile Justice reported 15,285 arrests for driving under the influence in 2010. Utah police use a machine called the CMI Intoxilyzer 8000 to take a breath alcohol content reading (commonly known as a breathalyzer test) of a driver suspected of driving under the influence of alcohol. This breath sample is analyzed and converted into a blood alcohol concentration. Breathalyzer test machines were developed in the 1950s as an alternative to what many believed was an overly-invasive blood test for BAC. Over the years, lawmakers and law ...

New Arizona Law Removes Jury Trial Option for First-Time DUI Offenders

2011-06-12

A recently approved Arizona bill -- that has not yet been signed into law -- will ease potential penalties facing those charged with driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs for the first time. Those lessened penalties come with a steep price tag, however. In exchange for reduced consequences, offenders lose the otherwise automatic option of choosing a jury to hear their case at trial instead of a judge. First-time DUI defendants would still have the right to request a jury trial, but instead of their request being granted, it would be decided upon by the trial court ...

Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 Bankruptcy?

2011-06-12

If you are watching your finances and growing more concerned with each passing day, you may want more information on how to go about filing a bankruptcy. You may have heard of Chapter 7 and Chapter 13, but might not really understand the difference. This article is designed to help. Chapter 7 Chapter 7 is frequently referred to as providing a "fresh start." It does this by discharging most debts (some obligations can't be discharged, such as student loans.) A debtor is granted exemptions that cover their basic needs for day-to-day living. Exemptions are ...

President Obama Focuses on Estate and Capital Gains Taxes

2011-06-12

Does the current economic climate leave your head spinning, wondering how tax and budget changes will affect you and your family? Do you ever wonder how our country got into the financial mess it is in, or why? President Obama, in the budget recently proposed to Congress, targeted two specific tax items: estate taxes and capital gains taxes. The proposed estate tax changes target mainly more affluent people with larger estates, while capital gains tax reforms mostly impact wage earners. The taxes are still up for debate, you can be sure there are changes coming, some ...