According to the National Institute on Aging, approximately 1 in 10 adults over the age of 60 are abused, neglected, or exploited. So it’s important to understand the warning signs of elder abuse to protect your friends and loved ones from violence, exploitation, and theft.
Elder abuse often affects seniors who rely on others for help with the day-to-day activities of life – dressing, bathing, eating, and taking medications. This often happens to seniors with no family or friends living close by or those that are frail or have a disability are often targeted. The majority of victims are women, but men experience elder abuse as well.
Abandonment is when a caregiver leaves an individual alone without arranging for his or her care.
Psychological abuse, sometimes called emotional abuse, includes acts such as yelling, verbal abuse, demeaning speech, threats of physical violence, or repeatedly ignoring an individual’s request for assistance. It may also involve a caregiver who isolates an individual preventing him or her from seeing or communicating with their family members.
Physical abuse occurs when someone causes physical harm to an individual by slapping, hitting, or pushing.
Neglect occurs when a caregiver refuses to respond to an individual’s needs. More than half of reported cases involve neglect. This may occur intentionally or unknowingly. The caregiver may not be aware of or may be in denial of the individual’s need for routine care.
Sexual abuse consists of a caregiver forcing an older adult to participate in a sexual act against their will. This type of abuse can be prevalent in individuals with diminished mental capacity.
Healthcare fraud occurs when members of the healthcare community knowingly defraud an individual. Types of healthcare fraud affecting seniors include:
For seniors in a long-term care facility or nursing home:
Caregivers should routinely check the accuracy of requested healthcare payments.
Elderly financial abuse occurs when someone steals money or belongings. This may include:
Read more about elderly financial abuse and how to prevent it.
Changes in an individual’s personality or behavior may be a general sign of elder abuse. Frequent arguing between the individual and the caregiver may also be a sign. If you suspect a loved one or friend is being abused look for the following warning signs:
Psychological or emotional abuse is defined as the purposeful infliction of distress, anguish, or mental anxiety through either harmful verbal or non-verbal communication. Signs of psychological or emotional abuse include:
Neglect is defined as a caregiver’s denial to provide adequate care for an individual. Neglect may be unintentional if the caregiver is unaware or it may be intentional. Self-neglect is the result of a person’s own action or inaction involving their self-care. Signs of neglect or self-neglect include:
If you suspect an elderly family member, friend, or neighbor is experiencing abuse, report it to the proper authorities.
Stay up to date on news for retirees and seniors: