Elder abuse

The incidence of reported or discovered elder abuse has been a growing problem which has also been generally hidden from the public view. It is important that this topic be addressed and understood in order to allow the awareness to be used as a means to resolve this issue.

The types of elder abuse include the following:

Physical abuse - the intentional infliction of force resulting in physical pain, injury or impairment. This abuse includes physcal assaults such as hitting or shoving as well as inappropriate use of drugs, restraints or confinement.
Financial abuse - the misuse, misappropriation or exploitation of funds or property. This may include stealing cash or household goods, misuse of checks or credit cards, identity theft or investment fraud.
Psychological abuse
Emotional abuse - the intentional infliction of mental harm or psychological distress. This may include verbal assaults, intimidation, humiliation and threats of physical harm or isolation.
Sexual abuse - contact or sexual activity without consent, or with a person incapable of giving consent. This can include exhibitionism, fondling, intercourse or viewing of pornographic material.
Neglect - the failure to meet the physical, emotional or social needs, either intentional or unintentional. Unintentional neglect is often the result of caregiver overload or lack of information concerning appropriate caregiving requirements.

Signs and symptoms of abuse may not be easily recognized or taken seriously. Some signs or symptoms may appear to be related to dementia or explained by a caregiver as a result of the frailty of the senior. Among some of the indications of possible abuse are:

Injuries and bruises
Changes in personality and behavior
Signs of malnutrition, dehydration and unusual weight loss
Unusual banking activity, missing items of jewelry, art and household goods.
Overmedication or oversedation

We can attempt to prevent elder abuse and we can:

listen to seniors and their caregivers
intervene when abuse is suspected
educate others about how to recognize and report abuse

Intervention is a key element to stopping elder abuse. If you are a senior who is being abused, neglected or exploited, tell at least one person. Tell a family member, your doctor or a friend that you can trust.

If you know of, or suspect, abuse, you can tell local law enforcement, aldult protective services or a local area agency on aging.