"We visited her a couple months ago with the kids and she was so out of it she didn't even wake up - I think she's being over-medicated, you know how loud the kids can be, and she didn't even budge."
It started slowly. At first every time I called, Stella (my Moms' maid/companion/caregiver) would answer and tell me "She's sleeping."
I tried calling at different times of day- always "She's sleeping."
I tried calling in the evening and on weekends when I knew that idiot she married would be home. "Hi Roberto, can I speak to my Mom, please?"
"She's sleeping."
This is getting frustrating.
So. I ask: "How's she been feeling?"
Answer:" Oh you know your Mother - there is always problems."
"What kind of problems? What is wrong with her?"
He'd stammer a bit, hem and haw, then get off the phone without giving me any information whatsoever.
Then they stopped answering the phone altogether.
I didn't know then what I know now.
A major step of elder abuse is isolation. Physically isolating an elder makes them vulnerable to physical, emotional, sexual and financial abuse.
For more information on warning signs of elder abuse
http://helpguide.org/mental/elder_abuse_physical_emotional_sexual_neglect.htm
For more information on warning signs of elder abuse
http://helpguide.org/mental/elder_abuse_physical_emotional_sexual_neglect.htm
