Long Island Elder Law & Estate Planning

Long Island elder law lawyers can provide help to seniors in researching nursing home and long-term care options. The goal is to find a care facility or a care provider who will treat seniors with respect and who will help to ensure the senior who is being cared for has the highest quality of life possible given the senior’s physical and mental health. 

Unfortunately, in many cases, seniors are not treated appropriately by the people who are supposed to be caring for them. Elder abuse is a major problem and vulnerable seniors are at risk in both a nursing home care environment and when they are cared for in their community by home health care workers and even by family members. It is important to learn about a nursing home or care service’s reputation and to find out if there have been any past problems in order to try to reduce the risk of elder abuse and neglect– both of which are far more common than most people realize.

Eghrari Wealth Training Law Firm can provide assistance to seniors and their families in taking steps to find a care facility that is known for providing quality care. We can also help seniors to take steps to ensure they are able to pay for the costs of quality care without spending down their nest egg. To find out more about how our firm can help you to choose a safe nursing home or caregiver, give us a call today.

How Common is Elder Abuse?

Elder abuse takes many different forms including physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional abuse, and financial abuse. All of these different kinds of abuse can happen in any care setting, from a nursing home or assisted living community to a senior’s own home if caregivers are coming in.

Abuse is often underreported because vulnerable seniors are not able to speak up about the abuse due to health conditions like dementia or because seniors are embarrassed to speak up about the fact that they have been victimized.

Despite the fact that many cases of abuse never come to light, statistics from the National Council on Aging still show a significant number of seniors have been victimized by abuse. In fact, as many as one in 10 Americans ages 60 and up have experienced some kind of abusive behavior. Up to five million elder Americans are abused every single year, according to estimates, while just one case of abuse in out of 14 is actually reported.

Identifying Signs of Abuse

Since many seniors cannot or do not speak out to report abuse, recognizing the signs is important so family members and other caregivers can take action to try to help. The National Council on Aging lists some of the signs of different kinds of abuse.

For example, bruises, burns, cuts, and pressure marks are all signs of physical abuse and neglect. Pressure sores, also called bed sores, are a sign of neglect, along with poor hygiene, unexplained weight loss, and medical needs that are not being met.

Signs of emotional abuse can include depression, anxiety, a loss of interest in activities, and signs of fear when the senior encounters a particular caregiver. Sudden changes in a financial situation or missing possessions are a few of the possible signs of elder financial abuse, while torn or missing clothing, redness around the private areas, or a diagnosis of a sexually transmitted disease can be signs of sexual abuse being perpetrated on a senior.

Getting Help from Long Island Elder Law Lawyers

Because elder abuse is such an under-reported problem that has reached crisis levels, every senior and every family member of a senior who is seeking nursing home care or home health care should ensure they do everything possible to find the highest quality care facility. Let our firm help you to find the best living environment and let us help you to make a plan to pay for costs of care.

To find out more about how experienced Long Island elder law lawyers at Eghrari Wealth Training Law Firm can help seniors and their loved ones make a nursing home plan, join us for a free seminar today. You can also give us a call at (631) 265-0599 or contact us online to get personalized advice on the planning process.

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About Eghrari Wealth Training Law Firm

Mark S. Eghrari is an attorney in private practice in Smithtown, New York. He has been in practice since 1988. Mark S. Eghrari provides extensive estate and tax planning services to individuals and businesses. Mr. Eghrari’s primary focus is helping clients avoid probate, minimize or eliminate Federal and State Estate taxes and protect their assets from the high cost of nursing care, if they become ill.