Abuse against an elderly citizen?

Question

I fear for the safety of a dear old friend who is having trouble with her neighbours as they want her to move out so they can have a family or a young couple moving in, but why should she sell the house where she has lived all her life? There's been firecrackers through the letterbox, so it's not harmless pranks. I went with her to the police who I felt didn't take it seriously. I feel the abuse is getting worse and don't know how to help her? I also fear for her mental health as this case is a great strain on her mind.

Answer 1

You can call DHR or Social Security and find out who to call if your local police can't do anything about it, to investigate the abuse of this lady. There are laws against elderly abuse. Record the abuse on video so you will have evidence. Proof of abuse is what you need. Be a friend to this lady and let her know you care what happens to her. Those neighbors should be ashamed of themselves. They might find themselves in a similar situation someday. You know the saying "what goes around, comes around."

Answer 2

There are laws against elder abuse - get in touch with your local health authority and council and inform them about what's going on. Write down everything that happens - whether it's direct aggression or verbal threats or even dirty looks. Inform all authorities anytime something happens - ie the police, the health authority (specificially the social worker in charge of elder abuse) and the council.

If at all possible, rig up a cctv to capture her front entrance and install security lighting at the front and back of the house - all those things are cheaply available from argos now. If nothing else, you can use videotape to back up her claims

I would keep going back to the authorities - there can be a reluctance to deal with things like this, but persistance will win the day. It's shocking to think an elderly lady can't be left alone to live her life, and very sad too.

Keep in regular touch with her, and if you can organise it, try to have many people calling to her regularly, for moral support and also to let people know she has support.

I wish her (and you) the best of luck.

Answer 3

Hi Tup, This is a big problem these days. No respect for the elders at all. They have earn the right to be happy in their old age. The people who are abusing her,need their A S S E S kicked to China,and let them deal with these low lives. You really need to call the protection of elderlies,and have them help this lady out. If your not sure if you have an outfit to protect the elderly,go to the court house,and someone there can give you the information you need. Keep your eye on this lady,and try to help her out in need.

Clowmy

Answer 4

I definitly feel very bad for her, and the cops not taking it seriously, what a surprise. I don't think they'll take anything seriously unless they're the ones in trouble, but it's events like this you need to wander on whether it's safe for her to stay there or maybe she should move. If she was younger or had a younger person with her I'd say fight it, but it's hard to tell what to do in situations like that.
Or you can publicly embarass the neighbors somehow. Some news channels always have some investigative show where they'll help people with situations like this, try out newschannels for that.

Answer 5

You can see the cops again, and if they busy drinking tea, ar se scratching or nicking some motorists doing 31 miles an hour, you could well gather a few like minded fellows together and pay a little neighbourhood visit.

No need for violence, just a reminder that time you guys will visit upon the offending house all that they visit upon the old lady.

Remind them of the three strike and you are out rule, and when tey ignore it, if they do, then go around and bash them good.

Answer 6

Get proof of these people doing this then call a lawer and sue them there might be an age discrimination issue here.
Also if this lady owns her own house and needs money she should check out a reverse mortgage.
One thing I would do is hire a security guard for a week or so. Big one --Big burly ONE. Sounds like the cops are to lazy or they are on the take so I would call a lawer.

Answer 7

Does your state have an elder abuse hotline? Call the toll free number..those idiots should be locked up, pronto. Give her story to the news media, that should do it. They are probably trying to steal her property right out from under her. The Postal inspectors take complaints online and will come out investigate and set up surveillence. That's a Federal Crime fooling around with mailboxes. Also go to fbi.gov/submit a tip.

Answer 8

Does she not have any family local? Failing that, theres bound to be somebody younger in your area that would be more than willing to sort the situation out for you. Most people have a nan and I know if anybody abused or threatened my nan once, it would'nt happen again. Use that as your angle and ask the right people, legal action is not always the correct way to handle things. Fight fire with fire is not just a saying.

Answer 9

The elderly always have my sympathy and best attention. Why?
Because I am elderly myself and know how it feels. The photo
on the left is me but taken by a sports photographer in 1972 and
I am about the same excepting for a completely white head and
some extra weight into the bargain! But, please tell us where you
are by adding to your question, and from reading the above
answers, we can edit ours and add more valuable information.
Will you kindly do that? Thanks, and for the time being keep watch over your friend since, some day, you may need the same help.

Answer 10

talk to her and see if she has any family that might be able to come and live with her for awhile. talk to a attroney and see if you could get some kind of order that would let you set up a camera and take pictures of these people harassing her. But do it within the law. I feel so sorry for older people who have to go through stuff like this, they should not have to. they have rights the same as we do.