Every year tens of thousands of elderly adults are abused in their own homes. When someone you love becomes to frail to care for themselves there are only limited options as far as having them cared for. Some may choose a nursing home, some may choose in home private care. Everyday across America elderly adults are being abused by private care givers and facilities verbally, physically, mentally, sexually and financially.

Elderly abuse is not only happening inside the home as a private caregiver but at nursing home facility also. Wherever you decide the elderly you love and care about go when they are no longer able to care for them, you need to do your research first. Many elderly adults are too weak to speak up for themselves and fight back. At the same time, some neglect is difficult to see; elderly individuals may have cuts and bruises that are not visible with their clothing on.

Some ways that you can prevent elderly abuse is try to educate the elderly as much as possible about the fact that if this happens they need to speak out to someone. Always listen to the elderly when they are not comfortable in a situation or when they have drawn back from the ones they love. Always ask questions to the elderly any others around them. Intervening when you suspect elderly abuse may not be the easiest thing to do or the easiest to prove but when it is your loved one and you are suspicious of foul play you can always contact the authorities for help in the matter. This is not something to be taken lightly.

Watch for warning signs in elderly abuse. Before putting your loved ones in someone else's care rather it is a facility or in their own home do your research first. There are laws against abuse of the elderly. The National Center on Elder Abuse (NCEA), is an organization helping to fight elderly abuse. The NCEA web site has many different tools including help hotlines, community outreach, helpful links and newsletters. There are other web sites and hotlines out there to help you if this is happening to someone you love, someone you know or around you.

Millions of elderly abuse cases go unreported each year, don't let you loved one be subject to this. If you suspect it, report it. At the same time it is important to seek the advice and counsel of an injury attorney that can help you get compensation for injuries and abuse.