The Signs of Elder Abuse

It is possible that as our loved one’s age, they will no longer be able to care for themselves. Some may move into nursing homes or assisted living facilities, while others will reside with family, friends, and neighbors, or rely on in-home health care services.

We like to believe that everyone has the best interest of our loved ones in mind. However, this is not always the case. Dependence on others can lead to abuse and is more common than we think.

According to the National Center on Elder Abuse, elder abuse is a serious issue affecting older adults across the United States. The National Council on Aging states that one in ten elderly Americans (60+) has experienced elder abuse, while many cases go unreported.

They also state it is estimated that only one of every twenty-four cases of abuse is reported. This suggests that as many as five million elders are abused every year. You may find it even more disturbing to learn that the perpetrator in nearly 60% of elder abuse cases is a family member.

Whether your loved one lives in a nursing home or with a trusted individual, it is crucial to understand elder abuse and be able to recognize the signs.

Common Types of Elder Abuse

Type of Elder Abuse	Description	Common Warning Signs
Neglect	Failure to meet an older person’s basic needs, including medical care, nutrition, hygiene, housing, and personal care.	Malnutrition, dehydration, poor hygiene, weight loss, bed sores, and depression.
Psychological Abuse	Actions that cause fear, emotional distress, mental suffering, or anguish, including intimidation, humiliation, and manipulation.	Withdrawal, anxiety, depression, aggression, and sudden behavioral changes.
Physical Abuse	Intentional harm or injury caused through actions such as hitting, pushing, kicking, or inappropriate restraint.	Bruises, fractures, injuries, unexplained falls, and inconsistent explanations for accidents.
Sexual Abuse	Any unwanted, forced, or non-consensual sexual interaction, attention, or exploitation.	Pelvic injuries, bruising, difficulty sitting or walking, bloodstained clothing, and unusual behavior.
Financial Abuse	Improper or illegal use of an elder’s money, assets, property, or benefits for another person’s benefit.	Unusual bank activity, missing money, suspicious documents, and forged signatures.

What is elder abuse?

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), elder abuse is “an intentional act or failure to act that causes or creates risk of harm to an older adult. An older adult is someone age 60 or older.”

This abuse typically occurs from a caregiver or an entrusted person of the elder. Elder abuse can be categorized into five types: neglect, physical, psychological, sexual, and financial.

Neglect

Neglect is when a person’s basic needs are not being met. This includes nutritional, medical, housing, hygiene, and personal care needs. It can be an intentional form of abuse, or unintentional, due to circumstances such as inadequate staffing at a nursing home or facility.

Common signs of neglect:

• Dehydration or malnutrition
• Bed sores or other skin breakdown
• A decline in personal hygiene
• Weight loss
• Depression

Psychological Abuse

Psychological or emotional abuse is characterized by nonverbal or verbal behaviors that cause fear, distress, mental suffering, or anguish. This type of abuse can include threatening behavior, intimidation, humiliation, manipulation, harassment, criticism, shaming, isolation, power dynamics, or exploitation.

Psychological abuse can be more challenging to recognize as it is more subtle. However, many times, it is accompanied by other forms of abuse.

Common signs of psychological abuse:

• Timid or withdrawn behavior
• Depression and/or anxiety
• Anger, agitation and/or aggression
• Sudden weight loss or loss of appetite
• Behavioral changes

Physical Abuse

Physical abuse is the intentional harm or injury to another. Physical abuse can result from hitting, kicking, pushing, grabbing, pinching, biting, or any forceful action.

It can also result from the overuse of restraints or bed injuries from physical neglect. Although many people believe physical abuse is easy to identify, that is not always the case. Physical abuse can be covered up with clothing or explained through false narratives involving stumbles and accidents.

Common signs of physical abuse:

• Bruises and abrasions
• Falls and fractures
• Head injuries
• The caregiver or staff does not leave the elder alone when in the presence of others
• New or repetitive stories of accidents, falls, or stumbles

Sexual Abuse

Sexual abuse is the act of any unwanted, forced, or non-consensual sexual interaction, attention, or exploitation. This type of abuse can take many forms, including intercourse, non-consensual touching, exposing the elder or exposing oneself to the elder, sexual advances, and verbal obscenities.

Sexual abuse can be especially difficult to identify in those who are cognitively impaired, including individuals with dementia.

Common signs of sexual abuse:

• Pelvic injury
• Difficulty walking or sitting
• Bruising around the breast, genitals, or inner thigh area
• Bloodstained underwear
• STDs
• Behavior or mood changes
• Unusual sexual behavior or comments

Financial Abuse

Financial abuse takes place when a caregiver or trusted individual improperly or illegally takes advantage of an elder’s money, belongings, benefits, assets, or property for their own benefit or someone other than the elder.

Examples include stealing money from bank accounts, applying for credit cards, incorrect billing of services, identity theft, and selling assets.

Common signs of financial abuse:

• Caregivers demanding money
• Unknown charges to credit cards or bank statements
• Sudden mismanagement of personal finances
• Suspicious documents or forged signatures

What to do if elder abuse is suspected?

If you suspect that a loved one is experiencing elder abuse, it is important to take action. The first step is to make sure your loved one is safe. In some situations, this may require removing them from a care facility, home environment, or the situation where the abuse is taking place.

Next, report the suspected abuse to the appropriate local authorities. If it is safe to do so, ask questions and pay close attention to your loved one’s responses. This information may help provide additional details when making a report.

You may also want to speak with an experienced attorney who can help you understand your legal options and determine the appropriate steps to protect your loved one.

Older adults can be vulnerable to abuse, particularly when they rely on others for care and support. By understanding the warning signs and knowing what steps to take, you can help protect your loved ones as they age.

If you suspect elder abuse or have questions about protecting an aging loved one, please contact us.