Blog

Elder abuse can take many different forms, including:

• Physical abuse, which can range from slapping or shoving to severe beatings and restraining with ropes or chains. When a caregiver or other person uses enough force to cause unnecessary pain or injury, even if the reason is to help the older person, the behavior can be considered abusive. Physical abuse also encompasses behaviors such as hitting, beating, pushing, shoving, kicking, pinching, burning or biting. It also includes the inappropriate use of medications and physical restraints and physical punishment of any kind.
• Verbal, emotional or psychological abuse, including yelling, swearing, threatening, making insulting or disrespectful comments or repeatedly ignoring the older adult. Psychological abuse involves any type of coercive or threatening behavior that sets up a power differential between the older adult and his or her family member or caregiver. It can also include treating the older person like a child and isolating the person from family, friends, and regular activities.
• Sexual abuse, which includes inappropriate touching, photographing the older adult in suggestive poses, forcing the person to look at pornography, and any unwanted sexualized behavior.
• Financial abuse and exploitation, which can range from misuse of an older person’s funds to embezzlement. It can include forging checks, taking someone else’s retirement or Social Security benefits, or using a person’s credit cards and bank accounts without their permission. It also includes changing names on a will, bank account, life insurance policy, or title to a house without permission.
• Caregiver neglect, which can be intentional or unintentional, and involves intentionally failing to meet the physical, social, or emotional needs of the older person. Neglect can include failure to provide food, water, clothing, medications, and assistance with activities of daily living or help with personal hygiene.

Warning Signs of Elder Abuse

• Unexplained bruises, burns, cuts, or scars
• Lack of basic hygiene, adequate food and water, or clean and appropriate clothing
• Lack of medical aids (glasses, walker, teeth, hearing aid, medications)
• Sunken eyes or unexplained weight loss
• Untreated bedsores
• Dismissive attitude or statements about injuries
• Unreasonably fearful or suspicious
• Lack of interest in social contacts
• Unexplained or uncharacteristic changes in behavior
• Unexplained vaginal or anal bleeding
• Venereal diseases or vaginal infections
• Signs of insufficient care or unpaid bills despite adequate financial resources
• Large withdrawals from bank accounts or other unusual ATM activity