Elder Law Is There To Protect Our Seniors (USA)

7 Aug 2010

With the emergence of advances in health care over the past several decades, the aged population has grown tremendously. Along with the average age of the population increasing, great consideration needs to be taken for quality care for our older citizens. Families are often faced with the issues of care involving a senior relative who, due to the increase in lifespan, are surviving much longer than in the past. Caring for an elderly relative can not only be time-consuming, but also demanding and difficult.


Along with age comes many physical concerns such as mobility, personal care, financial issues, and especially medical problems that the elderly individual may no longer be able to handle on their own. Elder Law came into effect when the need to advocate on behalf of the elderly became evident. With longer life comes the possibility of nursing home or hospice services. Along with the need for such services, Elder Law was established to assist the elderly and their families with issues especially in the area of medical or physical negligence perpetrated by caregivers in such facilities.


The decision to turn over direct care of an elderly family member to a nursing or hospice facility is not a decision families take lightly. However, certain health situations make it impossible for loved ones to properly care for their elderly family member. Elder Law is set in place to make certain the individual's rights to proper care are being respected. An elderly individual's rights to ethical treatment while under the care of such institutions is the main factor behind the law.


In the event of a legal or ethical issue involving seniors, an attorney well-versed in the intricate aspects of this law can be an invaluable asset to a family trying to ensure their loved one receives proper care. Some specific areas of concern in the case of seniors include financial fraud, nursing home abuse and hospice in-home abuse. Physical, emotional abuse and neglect, along with personal injury are also problem areas.


Elder Law makes the above offenses punishable by law. In the event of a family member suspecting the abuse or maltreatment of a senior family member, an attorney can advise the client on what steps need to be taken. Those responsible for the abuses need to be held accountable for their actions. Violations concerning the treatment of the elderly are taken very seriously.


It is important to remember that not all states have the same type of Elder Law. The laws themselves will vary, therefore the use of an attorney to clarify things for family members is crucial. No senior citizen should have to be subject to mistreatment by the very individuals trusted to provide care. Elder Law holds and ensures that proper care be given to our seniors within the bounds of the law.


SOURCE:    Article Clover
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