As people age, they may face many challenges like illness, mobility issues, and memory problems. Unfortunately, unscrupulous individuals may use such struggles as an opportunity to neglect or take advantage of aging persons. This occurrence is known as elder abuse.

Forms of Elder Abuse 

Abuse against an older adult could be undertaken through several different ways including:

• Physical Abuse 
  A caregiver uses physical force to subdue, restrain or coerce an elderly individual into performing a specific activity.
• The Irresponsibility of Caregivers 
  Home health aides, nursing home workers, and rehabilitation facility employees might neglect to assist the elderly persons under their care. Such actions may include forgetting to administer medications, failing to check up on bedridden or immobile persons, and not bathing individuals who cannot clean themselves.
• Verbal and Psychological Abuse 
  This type of abuse could be executed by yelling, making threats against, or insulting an aged person for subjugation purposes.
• Financial Abuse 
  In specific instances, especially when an older person is stricken with memory, mental, or mobility issues, said individual might entrust the management of their finances to a relative or trusted professional. However, the designated financial manager uses the power they are given to misappropriate the monetary assets of the person they were sworn to care for or steal their items.

Alarming Statistics about Elder AbuseAbuse of seniors is a growing problem and has been for awhile now. In 2011, there were roughly 4,000 cases of abuse reported in Palm Beach County. As the aging populations grow, cases of elder abuse in Palm Beach and throughout the United States are, unfortunately, expected to increase.

Signs to Look Out for if You Suspect Elder Abuse Sometimes a person being subjected to some form of abuse will display red flags, such as unexplained bruising or bodily injury, declining physical or mental condition, poor hygiene, unsafe or unsanitary living conditions, and have untreated wounds like bedsores. It is also important to pay attention to how the individual in question’s caregivers behave when a loved one is present. For example, should a caretaker not allow a relative to visit with their family member alone, such circumstances could be a significant cause for concern.

Can Corrective Measures be Employed? 
If a loved one suspects that their family member or friend has been the victim of elder abuse, authorities advise them to take crucial steps such as speaking with the victim, garnering the testimony of witnesses, taking pictures highlighting any sustained injuries, and monitoring the victim’s financial accounts for any drastic or unsuspected changes or withdrawals. Once this information is collected, it can be taken to a lawyer, a State-based Ombudsman for long-term care, or in severe manifestations of abuse, the local authorities

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The sad thing is that most of the time, the person that is abusing the senior are often family members, spouses, friends, professionals and even strangers that see an opportunity to prey on those who are vulnerable. Understanding the signs and types of abuse can help prevent senior abuse from continuing

By understanding and learning the signs and symptoms of senior abuse and how to act on behalf of the senior, you will not only help the senior but you are also strengthening yourself against senior abuse in the future.

Below is a list of 5 types of senior abuse and the warning signs:

• Physical abuse – use of physical force to threaten, physically injure, harm, or threaten a senior. Warning signs include pressure marks, unexplained bruises, burns, blisters or slap marks.
• Emotional abuse –isolation, verbal threats, belittling, or rejection that could cause distress, pain or mental anguish to a senior. Warning signs include unusual behavior changes, unexplained changes in alertness or withdrawal from their normal activities.
• Sexual abuse – any sexual contact that is threatened or forced. Warning signs include bruising to the genital or breast area and unexplained sexually transmitted diseases.
• Financial abuse – misuse, theft, fraud and use of undue influence to gain control over a person’s property or money. Warning signs include a sudden change in accounts and finances, altered trusts or wills, unexplained bank withdrawals, checks that are written as gifts or loans and loss of property.
• Neglect and abandonment – failure or refusal to provide for a seniors safety, emotional or physical needs. Warning signs include dehydration, lack of medical care, pressure ulcers, lack of personal care and malnutrition.

If you suspect that your loved one is being abused that situation should be reported immediately. Do not assume that someone else has reported the situation. You can call the Eldercare Locator number at 800-677-1116 or visit https://ncea.acl.gov/Suspect-Abuse/Reporting-Abuse.aspx for the phone numbers and departments in your state.

The Nurses Guild Home Health Agency’s staff is educated in what to do if they suspect that a senior is being abused in some way.  Also they will be able to assist caregivers if they suspect that their loved one is being abused by another person.

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At first, the abuse may not be recognized. It may appear to be symptoms of conditions like dementia or signs the person is becoming frailer. There is a couple warning signs to watch for if you feel your loved one is being abused. They are:

• Frequent arguments between the caregiver and the elderly person
• Tension between the caregiver and the elderly person
• Changes in the elderly persons personality or behavior

The abuse usually will take place where the elderly are living. Often times the abusers are their own adult children or other family member. However, abuse can also occur if the person is living in a long-term care facility. The abuse can occur in different forms. The most common types will be discussed below.

Physical abuse

Physical abuse is defined as a non-accidental force again a person that results in pain, injury, or impairment. Such abuses are not only physical like hitting or shoving. It can also involve the inappropriate use of confinement, restraints, and drugs. Things to look for are:

• Unexplained injuries such as welts, scars, bruises, or strange skin marks.
• Broken bones
• Sprains or dislocations
• Failure to take medication as prescribed
• Drug overdose
• Broken glasses
• Signs that they have been restrained such as marks on their wrists
• The caregiver does not allow you to be alone with the elderly person

Emotional abuse

Emotional abuse occurs when the person is treated in ways that cause them emotional pain or distress. Forms of emothional abuse are as follows:

• Ignoring the person
• Intimidation through threats or loud outbursts that criticize
• Humiliation
• Excssive teasing or ridicule
• Habitual blaming
• Isolation
• Terrorizing or menacing the person

Sexual abuse

Sexual abuse is any sexual contact with a person without their consent. This can involve physical acts of sex, showing the person pornography, forcing them to watch sexual acts, or forcing them to undress. Things to watch for are:

• Bruises around the genitals or breasts
• Unexplained infections of genital areas or sexually transmitted diseases
• Unexplained genital bleeding
• Torn, stained or bloody underclothing

Other things to watch out for that may suggest that an elderly person is being abused or neglected are:

• Unusual weight loss
• Malnutrition
• Dehydration
• Untreated physical problems – ex. Bed sores
• Dirty living conditions
• Not being bathed
• Unsafe living conditions

If you suspect that an elderly person is being abused or neglected, you need to contact your local Adult Protective Services Agency in your county. When you contact them, make sure to be a specific as possible. The agency will send out a Social Worker to interview and look at the living conditions.

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