Elder Abuse

As the population of older Americans grows, so does the hidden problem of elder abuse, exploitation, and neglect. Experts estimate that for each of the 2.1 million cases reported each year, there may be as many as five cases that are not reported. What is elder abuse and what forms does it take? Understanding the scope of the problem is the first step in taking action to prevent it.

What Is Elder Abuse?
When people hear the term "elder abuse and neglect" they often think about older people
living in nursing homes or living alone without any family or visitors. But this is a
misconception. Most elder abuse and neglect takes place at home with family members,
spouses, or paid caregivers being the abusers. Although there are extreme cases of elder
abuse, the abuse is often subtle.

Here are some of the main types of elder abuse, exploitation, and neglect.

Physical Abuse
Defined as the use of physical force or violence, physical abuse includes hitting, beating,
pushing, shaking, slapping, kicking, burning, force-feeding, inappropriate use of drugs, and
physical restraints. Signs of physical abuse include:

• Bruises, black eyes, welts, laceratons, and rope marks
• Broken bones and fractures
• Sprains, dislocations, and internal injuries/bleeding
• Open wounds, cuts, or an untreated injury
• Broken eyeglasses
• Lab tests indicating overdose of medication or underutilization of prescribed drugs
• Sudden change in behavior
• The caregiver's refusal to allow visitors to see an elder alone

Sexual Abuse
Any unwanted or non-consensual sexual contact of any kind with an elderly person is sexual abuse. Signs and symptoms of sexual abuse include:

• Bruises around the breasts or genital area
• Genital infections or unexplained sexually transmitted disease (STD)
• Vaginal or anal bleeding
• Torn, stained, or bloody underwear
• An elder reporting being sexually assaulted or raped

Emotional or Psychological Abuse
This is the infliction of emotional pain or distress through verbal or nonverbal actions. Verbal assaults, insults, threats, intimidation, humiliation, and harassment are all forms of emotional abuse. In addition, treating an older person like a baby, isolating an older person from his or her family, friends, or regular activities, or giving them "the silent treatment" are other types of abuse. An elder shows signs of abuse by being emotionally upset, withdrawn or non-responsive, experiencing behavioral changes such as sucking, biting, rocking, and even by admitting to being verbally or emotionally mistreated.

Neglect and Abandonment
Neglect is the refusal or failure to provide necessary care including food, water, clothing, shelter, personal hygiene, medicine, comfort, personal safety, and other essentials. Abandonment means deserting an elderly person you are responsible for taking care of. Signs of neglect or abandonment include:

• Dehydration, malnutrition, untreated bed sores, and poor personal hygiene
• Unattended health problems
• Hazardous or unsafe living conditions (no heat, no running water, bad wiring, etc.)
• Unsanitary and filthy living conditions (dirt, fleas, soiled bedding, etc.)
• The desertion of an elder in a public place
• The desertion of an elder at a hospital or nursing facility

Financial or Material Exploitation
Illegal, improper, or unauthorized use of an elder's money, property, or assets is another type of elder abuse. Often this results in an elder person not getting the care he or she needs.