Elder Care Attorneys in Milwaukee

Nobody is sure what the future may hold for them, but it’s a fact that many seniors will someday face challenges such as disabilities and other special needs. They may need to be admitted to a long-term care facility if they can’t live independently anymore. They may also reach a point where they are unable to communicate their own wishes for how they’d like to be cared for.

Before this happens, it’s important to work with a Milwaukee elder care lawyer to set up the proper legal documentation so that your loved one’s wishes can be carried out. Declaring who would take power of attorney, creating a living will, and similar actions protect your loved one’s rights. Your Milwaukee elder care attorney can help you set these up and advocate for your loved one if there are ever any disputes about their care or over insurance coverage for medical treatments.

Seniors are uniquely susceptible to fraud. As they become more dependent on others to help manage their affairs, there are those who seek opportunities to take advantage of them. The FBI keeps tabs on elder fraud, and their 2020 report shows that over $1 billion was taken from seniors through scams. Here’s how seniors in Wisconsin fared:

1,226 Elderly Fraud Victims in 2020

From unscrupulous money managers to Internet scams taking advantage of seniors who have less technological ability, there are a variety of elder fraud dangers. A Milwaukee elder care lawyer can talk to you and your loved one about how to avoid scams, and they can step in if some kind of fraud occurs.

Another unfortunate truth is that many seniors fall victim to elder abuse. While most caregivers do a good job facilitating healthy and enjoyable experiences for seniors, some others will neglect their responsibilities or otherwise cause harm to an older adult. The National Center on Elder Abuse notes these signs that someone may be experiencing some form of abuse:

• Physical Abuse
• bruises, wounds, cuts, fractures, sprains, or other signs of physical trauma
• recent falls
• signs of punishment such as evidence of physical restraint
• medication overdoses
• Psychological Abuse
• emotional distress or withdrawal
• lack of self-care
• lower self-esteem or feeling of despair and worthlessness
• dementia behaviors like biting, rocking, and sucking
• Sexual Abuse
• bruises and abrasions in the chest or genital region
• STDs, bleeding, and trauma in genital areas, genital infections
• increased anxiety or depression
• agitation, restlessness, and sleep disturbances
• Financial Abuse
• sudden changes in bank account or to a will or other financial documents
• disappearance of funds, possessions
• poor financial decisions
• unpaid bills and other financial distress
• anxiety and depression
• malnutrition
• Neglect
• unsanitary or unsafe living conditions
• personal hygiene issues
• untreated bed sores
• untreated/unattended health issues
• malnutrition or dehydration

If you happen to see any of these signs in a senior that you care about, take action. An elder care attorney in Milwaukee can talk to you and the senior in your life about elder abuse and what to do if you think something is going on. A lawyer can also represent your loved one in managing issues of abuse.

There are a variety of reasons why enlisting the support of an attorney for seniors in Milwaukee can be a wise decision. A lawyer can help you and your loved one set up documentation to make sure the desired care is provided if they aren't able to communicate those choices themselves. They can advocate for seniors who become victims of serious issues such as elder fraud and abuse. They can also represent a senior who has any kind of disputes in coverage of their care with Medicaid, Medicare, or an insurance company. Overall, a Milwaukee elder care lawyer can protect your loved one's rights.

When you need legal protection for your loved one, you need the support of an elder care attorney in Milwaukee. SeniorsMatter cares about older adults and those who care for them, and we want to make sure the aging experience is as graceful as possible. Look through our elder care attorney in Milwaukee reviews today.