New Mexico Elder Abuse Resources
Elder abuse is a growing problem. Elder abuse comes in many forms. These include physical, emotional and financial abuse with many varieties within each of these areas of abuse. Moreover, the abuse comes from a great many sources.
Often times, the abuse will come from opportunistic strangers who prey on the week. Sadly, the source of abuse far too often comes from those entrusted to protect our elders.Whatever the source, there are both public and private resources available for families at the New Mexico state level and national level. We have tried to identify as many of the most helpful resources below.
Nursing Home Abuse & Neglect
Collins & Collins, P.C. handles nursing home abuse & neglect and medical medical malpractice claims. These often go hand and hand in the nursing home setting. Unfortunately, both are far too common in the case of the elderly in both the nursing home setting and beyond.
Nursing home abuse is particularly egregious since the neglect is often systemic and institutionalized with little response from the facility or staff when it occurs. If your case involves medical malpractice or nursing home abuse & neglect, please feel free to contact us for a free case review.
There are many other forms of abuse as well and many other resources that go well beyond medical malpractice or nursing home neglect. Many are set out below.
New Mexico Elder Abuse Resources
New Mexico Aging & Long-term Services Department
http://www.nmaging.state.nm.us/
This is the New Mexico Aging & Long-term Services Department’s site is dedicated toward protecting the “independence and dignity of New Mexico’s elderly population.” The site provides links for services for New Mexico’s elderly and advocates for the elderly including information on care-giving, counseling, medical care, legal services, calendars of events for training and outreach among many other links.
Department of Senior Affairs, for the City of Albuquerque
This is the City of Albuquerque’s site addressing the elderly of Albuquerque. This site provides information on “activities and opportunities to promote active and healthy aging,” such as the locations of senior centers, senior services, and a variety of physical and recreational activities for New Mexican seniors.
New Mexico Bar Association for Elder Law
http://www.nmbar.org/AboutSBNM/sections/ElderLaw/elderlawresources/
This is the New Mexico State Bar Association’s site, which provides a good resource for finding an attorney that practices in the area of elder law. These attorneys provide services such as wills, trusts, estate planning, elder abuse and neglect, and other legal issues affecting older New Mexicans.
National Resources for Elder Abuse
Medicare Cost Overview
http://www.medicare.gov/your-medicare-costs/index/
This is the Official Medicare site dedicated to understanding the different Medicare plans, their costs, and coverage. This important information is readily available and searchable for all. The site also includes many links to other resources and agencies on Medicare related issues and problems.
Medicare Fraud: Avoiding Abuse and Medicare Billing Fraud
http://www.planprescriber.com/medicare-insurance-news/medicare-fraud/
This eHealth site is dedicated to providing a basic understanding of Medicare fraud. The site provides simple step-by-step instructions on how to avoid Medicare fraud and how to report Medicare fraud to the appropriate authority.
National Center on Elder Abuse
This is the National Center on Elder Abuse and the Administration on Aging’s site provided by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. This website is focused on elder abuse and their rights in the United States. Including instructions on how to report elder abuse, how to prevent elder abuse, as well as resources for the general public for a better understanding of elder abuse.
Department of Health and Human Services: Administration for Community Living & Administration on Aging
This is the Administration for Community Living (ACL) and Administration on Aging’s (AOA) website site provided by the Department of Health and Human Services. Its purpose is to “promoting the well-being of older individuals by providing services and programs designed to help them live independently in their homes and communities. ” This national agency provides programs, emergency steps, and grant opportunities for the elderly and those who care for them.
Nursing Home Abuse
New Mexico Department of Health, Health Improvement Bureaus & Programs
http://archive.dhi.health.state.nm.us/
This is the New Mexico Department of Health’s site addressing the quality of health care facilities and health care services. The New Mexico Department of Health connects individuals to different health-related resources. These resources cover everything from administrative support, licensing and screening, to complaint submission forms.
Office of New Mexico Attorney General Office on Elder Abuse
http://www.nmag.gov/the_office/medicaid-fraud-elder-abuse/elder-issues
This is the Attorney General of New Mexico Elder Issues’ site that addresses what to do if an elderly person is the victim of Medicare fraud or elder abuse. The Attorney General also provides forms that are very helpful in organizing claims of Medicare fraud or incidents of elder abuse.
Elder Medical Care Issues
Nutrition Resource Bank for Seniors
http://www.nutrition.gov/life-stages/seniors
This is the National Agriculture Library’s site focusing on providing resources to the elderly to ensure that they receive the nutrition they need. These resources include information from the Department of Health and Human Services, the United States Food and Drug Administration, and the National Institute of Health.
Caregiving Support & Help
http://www.helpguide.org/elder/caring_for_caregivers.htm
This is the Healthguide.org‘s site that is dedicated to providing elderly care. This website provides various information for caregivers and their families. It also provides support groups and contact information for other caregivers in your situation.
Guide to Addiction Prevention for Seniors
http://www.newbeginningsdrugrehab.org/guide-to-addiction-prevention-for-seniors/
This is the New Beginnings Drug and Alcohol Rehabilitation’s site dedicated to preventing seniors from developing substance abuse problems. Also, to help the elderly that have developed substance abuse problems to get the treatment that is needed.
Geriatric Mental Health Foundation
http://www.gmhfonline.org/gmhf/
This is the Geriatric Mental Health Foundation website that is dedicated to the improvement of mental health of the elderly. By providing several articles that outline the mental health and mental health defects of the elderly.
Health & Safety of Elders
National Institute of Health – Senior Health
This is the National Institute of Health’s site that provides resources for elders so that they can remain healthy and happy—including exercise stories, tips for healthy aging, and training tools.
Seniors and Safe Driving
https://www.kanetix.ca/safest-drivers-in-canada
This is the Kanetix website, which addresses the good driving habits of senior citizens. It also provides statistical data on elderly driving.
A Senior Citizen’s Guide to Aging at Home Safely and with Dignity
http://www.mortgagecalculator.org/helpful-advice/aging-with-dignity.php
This mortgage calculator website’s “The Guide to Aging at Home Safely and with Dignity” focuses on helping seniors to make their homes safer for their age. Providing measures that prevent falls and other basic home safety tips for the elderly and their families.
Health Issues in an Aging Population
http://www.cdc.gov/chronicdisease/resources/publications/AAG/aging.htm
This is the Center for Disease Control’s website that provides advice to the elderly. They give information to help combat the symptoms of old age, both physically and mentally.
Preventing Home Improvement Fraud for Seniors
http://www.homeadvisor.com/article.show.Preventing-Home-Improvement-Fraud.17322/#seniors
The Home Adviser article is dedicated to preventing people from being taken advantage of by contractors working on their homes. The article calls special attention to seniors, who are most at risk.
