How To Recognize The Signs Of Elder Abuse and What To Do About It

No matter how much you love your loved one, it can be difficult to tell if they are being abused. While illegal, elder abuse is still a common problem facing older adults. Unfortunately, there are many types of elder abuse under which your loved one could fall victim. For example, financial abuse is an issue that often goes on undetected. As the caregiver or concerned family member, learn the signs of elder abuse and gain the knowledge needed to ensure that you protect your loved one.

Defining Elder Abuse

Elder abuse is an intentional act that causes harm to a vulnerable adult, typically an older adult. It may occur at the hands of family members, caregivers, or anyone else in a position of trust and responsibility for the older adult’s well-being. Elder abuse can be physical, psychological, or financial in nature.

According to some experts, elder abuse is seldom reported. This might be due to a sense of guilt or dread among people engaged in the situation. Some people may not know how to report abuse. Some people may be unsure if what is going on is abusive. Abusers may isolate elderly persons or destroy laptops or mobile devices that they may use to seek assistance in order to prevent them from reporting abuse.

It is crucial to understand that elder abuse does not go away all on its own. You must intervene and put an end to the abuse.

Risk Factors For Elder Abuse

Many risk factors increase the likelihood of elder abuse. Some of these risk factors include:

1. Mental Capacity: Older adults with dementia or Alzheimer’s can be at increased risk of abuse. They may forget incidents and not report them or believe what is happening to them as normal and acceptable. 
2. Physical Limitations: Older adults who cannot take care of themselves are more vulnerable to abuse. Because they rely on others for help, it may be easier for a caregiver to abuse them.
3. Lack Of Knowledge: Older adults who cannot read or do not have access to the internet are more vulnerable to abuse. They will not have as many resources available to help them understand their legal rights and how to report abuse.
4. Gender: A recent study has found that women are more likely to suffer from elder abuse than men. The WHO or World Health Organization reports that older women may also suffer from more severe types of abuse over longer periods.
5. Age: People over the age of eighty are at a higher risk of abuse.
6. Caregiver: A caregiver dealing with his problems, such as bankruptcy, divorce, or a drug, may abuse a senior under his care. 

Abusive Caregivers: Crucial Signs

As a family member who looks after the welfare of your senior loved one, you must be aware of who you are entrusting with your senior loved one, and you are aware of the situation that surrounds your loved one. Signs of abusive caregivers include:

1. Failing to show affection toward the older adults
2. Failing to provide timely assistance for the well-being of your loved one
3. Being too involved in the older adults’ personal affairs
4. Providing conflicting explanations of some physical injuries
5. Speaking about older adults as if they were a burden

You should monitor the actions of your loved one and the actions of the caregiver. Ask yourself if you see signs of abuse. If you are, keep an eye on the situation and report it to a family member or friend.

Different Types Of Elder Abuse

Elder abuse is when somebody mistreats an older person. It can take lots of various forms, and sometimes it goes unreported. Here are some of the different kinds of elder abuse:

• Emotional Abuse
• Physical Abuse
• Financial or Material Exploitation
• Sexual Abuse
• Neglect
• Abandonment

Common Signs of Elder Abuse by Type

As a trusted family member, it is crucial to know the warning signs for each type of abuse. Learning the signs will help you understand the situation and take action.

1. Signs of Emotional Elder Abuse

Emotional Abuse is perhaps the most difficult type of elder abuse to identify. Emotional abuse includes things such as threats, humiliation, insults, and threats. These behaviors can leave permanent marks on the older person and severely affect his mental health. The abuser may also victimize the older adult through isolation by keeping him away from family members and friends. 

Here are the signs of emotional abuse in older adults:

• Asking for consent to do usual or necessary functions
• Asking for consent to make decisions
• The isolation, deprivation of social activities and contact with family and friends
• Irritability, anger, and depression
• Becoming suspicious and paranoid
• Changes in sleeping patterns (such as lying awake at night)
• A sudden change in dress or hygiene habits

If senior reports that a caregiver is emotionally abusive, take the report seriously. Emotional abuse can be damaging, and no one should live with it.

2. Signs of Physical Elder Abuse

Physical abuse is any action that causes injury or pain to a senior. It can also include neglecting a senior’s welfare while suffering from a physical illness.

Here are the signs of physical abuse in older adults:

• Injuries that appear to be recent and unexplained
• Bruising on the head, neck, face, arms, legs, hands, and feet
• Torn skin from fingernails or cuts on the victim’s hands or feet
• Broken bones (in a senior that is not frail)
• Painful lumps under a senior’s skin 

You should check your loved one if you notice any signs of physical abuse. Physical abuse can be dangerous and lead to other forms of elder abuse. 

3. Signs of Financial Elder Abuse

Financial abuse is when someone takes money from an older person. It can also happen when an older person can’t make good decisions about money, and the abuser helps make decisions for him.

Some common signs of financial abuse in older adults include:

• Taking money or valuables out of the older adults’ bank account
• Threatening to take a senior’s or loved one’s assets 
• Overcharging for services or goods they provide
• Sometimes a caregiver will be able to coerce the senior into an unfair arrangement, such as no-interest loans, which will cause financial harm. 

A financial expert can help identify if there is financial abuse occurring. If the senior reports that his money has been taken, the authorities should be alerted. 

4. Signs of Sexual Elder Abuse

Sexual elder abuse includes sexual contact that is not wanted, such as fondling, sexual assault, and rape. Sexual abuse also includes non-sexual touching or beating to get sexual arousal or enjoyment.

Here are the signs of sexual abuse in older adults:

• Bruises, cuts, or bleeding in the genital area
• Genital discharges or urinary tract infections
• Difficulty walking or sitting due to genital pain
• Cuts, sores, and swelling in the mouth 
• Hesitance to use the bathroom or to bathe
• Signs of an unsuitable connection between a caregiver and a senior

Sexual abuse is quite concerning. If you notice any of these signs, do not ignore them. If a senior has been subject to sexual abuse, you should notify an adult protective services agency.  

5. Signs of Neglect

Neglect is a type of elder abuse that occurs when a person or professional caregiver fails to fulfill their caretaking duties. 

Some common signs of neglect in older adults include:

• Lack of adequate food, fluids, clothing, or shelter
• Failure to provide medication or monitoring of health problems
• Not going to see a physician when needed
• Failure to keep the environment safe for seniors (such as a fire hazard)

6. Signs of Abandonment

Abandonment is when a caregiver leaves their protective role to allow an older adult to wander in public without any means of protection. It can be intentional or unintentional. 

Signs of elder abandonment include:

• An older adult wandering in public or outside the home
• An older adult is left alone when he should not be
• The disappearance of a caregiver for a long period (more than several days)

Reporting Elder Abuse

As a trusted family member, take immediate action if you suspect that your senior loved one is the victim of elder abuse. Contact your local police department or call 911. In addition, contact Adult Protective Services (APS) to report any act of elder abuse. 

You can also report any elder abuse to one of the following organizations:

• National Domestic Violence Hotline. You may call at 800-799-7233.
• Elder Abuse Protection Center. You may use the State Elder Abuse Hotlines or call 800-677-1116.
• National Center on Elder Abuse. Call 855-500-3537.

Ways To Help Prevent Elder Abuse

How can you help prevent elder abuse? The following are some ways to help prevent elder abuse:

1. Ensure that the older adult is protected from harm and is safe
2. Ensure that the elderly loved one is not isolated from family members, friends, and other sources of support 
3. Take an active role in an older adult’s welfare by speaking up if you suspect abuse by a trusted caregiver.
4. Be aware of any signs of elder abuse such as bruises on the senior’s body, missing money, a sudden change in hygiene habits, unusual behavior or hygiene habits (such as taking baths), and any bruises or lumps under their skin.
5. Report signs of neglect to Adult Protective Services (APS) or your local police station.

Final Thoughts

Elder abuse is a serious problem that affects millions of seniors every year. It is important to recognize the signs of elder abuse so you can take action to stop it. Suppose you suspect that someone you know is experiencing abuse. In that case, the best thing to do is to contact authorities or an elder abuse hotline so they can investigate the situation and help the victim get the support they need.

Serenity Senior Care is aware of the risks that come with aiding in senior long-term care. We make sure our clients are not victims of this abuse. We ensure that our caregivers are well-trained, licensed, and caring individuals who genuinely care about your parent’s health and well-being. 

Contact us today to get more information on this topic or other eldercare-related topics. We would be more than happy to answer any questions you have about this serious topic. We are here for you!