Elder Abuse in Camden County

Elder abuse is a problem in all states throughout the country. New Jersey is no exception.

On the one hand, research indicates the rate of elder abuse in New Jersey is about one percent. On the other hand, studies also show that NJ's elder abuse protections are among the nation's most lacking.

Are you the loved one of a vulnerable elderly person in Camden County, NJ? If you have reason to believe they may be a victim of elder abuse, it's important to familiarize yourself with potential legal remedies.

You don't have to do so alone. At the Lento Law Firm, our Family Law Team is available to help you and your loved one take steps to stop abuse before it leads to a tragic outcome. Get started today by submitting your information through our online contact form or by calling our offices at 888-535-3686.

Common Forms of Elder Abuse

Elder abuse can take several forms. They are:

• Physical abuse: Striking, pushing, beating, or intentionally causing any form of physical injury to a vulnerable elderly person are all relatively common forms of physical elder abuse.
• Emotional/psychological abuse: Someone may engage in emotional and/or psychological abuse of an elderly person by assaulting them verbally, threatening them, calling them names, or otherwise berating/belittling them or harassing them. Another common form of elder psychological abuse involves isolating an elderly person so they have limited contact with others.
• Sexual abuse: Any form of unwanted sexual contact, from rape to touching of the genitals or sexual areas, can constitute sexual abuse of an elderly person in New Jersey. Similarly, sexual abuse can involve taking pictures, videos, or other such sexual recordings of an elderly victim without their consent.
• Financial abuse: Elderly people may be at risk of being financially taken advantage of by family members, caretakers, and other such parties. This form of abuse may involve stealing from an elderly person, scamming them, convincing them to provide money, or transferring funds under false pretenses, etc.
• Neglect: Elder abuse doesn't need to involve any form of direct malicious action. Neglecting to care for an elderly person's needs is another form of abuse that can result in serious harm. Common examples of neglect include failing to feed an elderly person, not supplying medication they need, not keeping their clothing and sheets clean, ignoring their hygiene needs, etc.

If you're not sure whether a form of treatment constitutes elder abuse, this is a topic we can discuss with you in further detail during a consultation with a member of our Family Law Team at the Lento Law Firm.

Preventing Elder Abuse in Camden County, NJ

If you're the loved one of a vulnerable elderly person in Camden County, you may guard against elder abuse by:

• Discussing your concerns with an elderly loved one (or friend, neighbor, etc.) if you believe they're a victim of abuse (although you must consider that an elderly person may, for various reasons, claim they're not being abused when in fact they are)
• Familiarizing yourself with the National Institute on Aging's (NIA) common signs of elder abuse and keeping an eye out for them accordingly
• Checking in on elderly loved ones regularly

If you believe elder abuse may be occurring, you can report the matter to Camden County's Office of Adult Protective Services. The address and contact information are as follows:

Camden County Board of Social Services

600 Market Street

Camden, NJ 08102

Phone: 856-225-8178

Fax: 609-889-0344

The office recommends calling 911 or the local police if you wish to report an emergency situation when the office isn't open. It's also wise to contact an attorney who can help you navigate this situation. At the Lento Law Firm Family Law Team, we can explain your potential options in these circumstances.

A Restraining Order Can Help a Victim of Elder Abuse in Camden County

Obtaining a restraining order (RO) against an alleged abuser is among the most effective ways to guard against elder abuse in Camden County. When abuse occurs, someone can obtain a temporary restraining order (TRO) for short-term protection.

The TRO remains in effect until a formal hearing for a final restraining order (FRO). The court will usually schedule this hearing for no more than 10 days from the date someone requested a TRO.

A TRO can offer various protections, including:

• Requiring an alleged abuser to maintain a certain physical distance from a victim, which could require an abuser to move out of a home they share with the victim
• Prohibiting an abuser from contacting or harassing a victim
• Requiring an abuser to submit to behavioral monitoring/counseling
• In some cases, requiring an abuser to pay relief to a victim

The protections that might be available to you or your elderly loved one is another topic we can discuss in greater detail at our Lento Law Firm Family Law Team.

How to Get a Restraining Order in NJ's Camden County

Someone seeking an RO in Camden County can begin by filing for a TRO via the Family Division of the Camden County Courthouse. The address and contact information for doing so is:

Camden County Family Division

Camden County Hall of Justice

101 South 5th Street

Floor 2

Camden, New Jersey 08103

Phone: 856-650-9100 ext. 43480

Technically, someone who is a victim of domestic violence must usually apply for an RO themselves. However, exceptions may apply when a victim is vulnerable or otherwise unable to act on their own behalf. Attorneys with our Lento Law Firm Family Law Team can review your case and help you better understand your options and the steps you may take (and how we can help) if you wish to obtain an RO for an elderly person in Camden County.

We can also help you gather the evidence needed to show that elder abuse is occurring. It will likely be necessary to present such evidence during the FRO hearing. Evidence may include:

• Medical records
• Eyewitness testimony
• Photos
• Police records

Every case is different. We'll consider the types of evidence that may apply to your case to maximize the odds of obtaining a restraining order.

Contact the Lento Law Firm Family Law Team for Help With Your Camden County Elder Abuse Case

If you're not sure of your options when you or a loved one is a victim of elder abuse in Camden County, NJ, speaking with qualified legal professionals can help you better understand how you may proceed in this delicate situation. Learn more by contacting our Lento Law Firm Family Law Team through our online form or by calling our offices today at 888-535-3686.