Types of elder abuse
PHYSICAL ABUSE
Causing pain or injury to older adults such as pushing, shoving, grabbing, slapping or restraining.
EMOTIONAL ABUSE
Causing emotional pain or distress through verbal aggression, humiliation, blaming, ignoring and terrorizing.
SEXUAL ABUSE
Sexual contact withough the elder person's consent. Sexual abuse can also mean forcing an elder to watch pornographic acts or materials and forcing them to undress.
NEGLECT/ABANDONMENT
Deserting and not providing highest amount of care for elders such as leaving them in soaked clothing or not letting them eat.
FINANCIAL EXPLOITATION
Using and taking funds from an elderly that has not been autorized. Since many cases of financial abuse are performed by families, they may take personal belongings and property and sell them for money.
Causing pain or injury to older adults such as pushing, shoving, grabbing, slapping or restraining.
EMOTIONAL ABUSE
Causing emotional pain or distress through verbal aggression, humiliation, blaming, ignoring and terrorizing.
SEXUAL ABUSE
Sexual contact withough the elder person's consent. Sexual abuse can also mean forcing an elder to watch pornographic acts or materials and forcing them to undress.
NEGLECT/ABANDONMENT
Deserting and not providing highest amount of care for elders such as leaving them in soaked clothing or not letting them eat.
FINANCIAL EXPLOITATION
Using and taking funds from an elderly that has not been autorized. Since many cases of financial abuse are performed by families, they may take personal belongings and property and sell them for money.
Signs and Symptoms
PHYSICAL ABUSE
EMOTIONAL ABUSE
SEXUAL ABUSE
NEGLECT/ABANDONMENT
FINANCIAL EXPLOITATION
- Unexplained injuries such as bruises and scars.
- Broken bones, fractures, sprains or dislocations.
- Signs of being restrained, such as marks on wrists.
EMOTIONAL ABUSE
- Unexplained behavior changes, such as withdrawal from nomal activities.
- Behavior that mimics dementia such as rocking, sucking or mumbling to oneself.
SEXUAL ABUSE
- Bruises around the breasts or gential areas.
- Unexplained sexually transmitted diseases.
- Unexplained bleeding in vaginal and/or anal areas.
- Torn or bloody underclothing.
NEGLECT/ABANDONMENT
- Unsual weightloss, malnutrition or dehydration
- Untreated problems such as bed sores
- Unsanitary/unsafe living conditions
- Being left dirty or unbathed
- Lack of proper clothing for weather
- Desertion of the elder at a public place
FINANCIAL EXPLOITATION
- Unexplained withdrawals from the elder's account
- Changes in elder's financial condition
- Items and money missing from elder's household
- Suspicious changes in wills, power of attorneys, titles and policies
- Addition of names to the elder's signature card
- Unpaid bills
- Unnecessary transactions or subscriptions
Risk Factors
According to the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention, there are four factors, individual, relational, community, and societal, that can contribute to becoming a perpetrator of elder abuse.
INDIVIDUAL
RELATIONAL
COMMUNITY
SOCIETAL (A culture where:)
INDIVIDUAL
- Abuse of alcohol
- Current diagnosis of mental illness
- Hostility
- Improper care giving training
- Poor coping skills
- Exposure to child abuse
RELATIONAL
- Financial and emotional dependence on elder
- No social support
- No formal support
- Previous disruptive behaviors
COMMUNITY
- Limited formal services, such as respite care for caretakers
SOCIETAL (A culture where:)
- There is acceptance of aggressive behavior and high tolerance
- Family are expected to be the caretaker without seeking help
- Healthcare personnel and guardians are more likely to make the decisions
- People are encouraged to remain quiet with their pains
- There are negative beliefs about aging elders