Do you know the signs of elder abuse?
“Elder abuse is when someone over the age of 60 is harmed or neglected due to intentional or unintentional actions,” says Addie Ricci, Executive Director of Bridges® by EPOCH at Norwalk, located in Norwalk, CT. “It’s estimated that one in 10 older adults experiences some form of abuse, but only one in 24 of those cases gets reported. As our population ages and the number of seniors increases, it’s important for us – family members, caregivers and loved ones – to learn about the signs of elder abuse and what steps need to be taken to protect the seniors we love.”
Elder abuse can happen to anyone, and it can be caused by anyone, says Addie. “As we get older, we naturally end up having to rely on others to help us, which opens us up for being taken advantage of or mistreated,” she says. “Elder abuse can take many forms and can be caused by anyone in a senior’s life – even family members or caregivers. Abusive individuals can range from the malicious and cruel to the overwhelmed yet well-intentioned, but no matter their intentions, the results are the same: actions that cause stress, pain and a lower quality of life for the senior.”
Many older people who are being abused may feel embarrassed or afraid to talk about it. “This is why it’s so important for others to know the signs of abuse as well as what we can do to help protect the older adults in our lives,” Addie says. This is especially true for seniors with dementia, who may not be able to advocate for themselves due to mental or physical disability.
Types of Elder Abuse
Physical abuse. This is any form of abuse or action that causes harm or injury to the senior. This can include forceful grabbing, hitting, kicking, shoving or burning the individual. It can also be indirectly caused by tying the person to a chair, bed or wheelchair, locking him or her up in a room or providing drugs that haven’t been prescribed (or, conversely, not providing him or her with the medications that have been prescribed to help them). While visible injuries are the most obvious signs of physical abuse, there may be other signals, such as:
- Unexplained bruises, cuts, burns or bleeding
- Broken bones or sprains
- Injuries that keep happening (such as repeated falls “down the stairs”)
- The senior doesn’t want to talk to a doctor about their injuries or tries to downplay it
Sexual abuse. Sexual abuse is when an older adult is forced to have sexual contact with someone else. For patients with dementia, there is also a gray area of the person not being able to consent to sex, even if it may seem like they are “willing” to do so. Sexual abuse can range from forcing someone to watch pornography, or undress, or inappropriate touching all the way to rape. Oftentimes, sexual abuse isn’t always visible to the naked eye. Caregivers and family members should be alert to any signs of sexual abuse, such as:
- Torn or bloody clothes, particularly underwear
- A loved one developing a sexually transmitted disease
- Bruises around the genitals, breasts or on the sides of the body (where he or she may have been held down)
- Vaginal or anal bleeding
Psychological abuse. This is any action that wounds a person emotionally, such as threatening, yelling, name calling, ignoring the individual or controlling his or her actions (such as not allowing them to speak to others, go out or other forms of control). This can be a difficult form of abuse to detect, since the abuser will generally act differently when others are around and seeing them interact with the senior. Watch for any of these signs in your loved one’s relationships or interactions with others. If they are present, you may have an issue:
- Acts frightened or withdrawn, particularly around specific individuals
- Is experiencing behavioral changes that don’t make sense
- Has become depressed, confused or has lost interest in things they once loved
- Sleeping difficulties
- Signs of self-calming behavior such as rocking back and forth, mumbling or sucking on thumbs
Financial abuse. This form of abuse is when a senior’s property or money is being taken advantage of. For example, someone may be withdrawing money or using credit cards without the senior’s permission, or is forcing him or her to change legal documents or write large checks on their behalf. This can also include someone charging your loved one too much for care, billing for a service that was never received or overcharging for home repairs. Donations to “charities” are also forms of financial abuse. Here are some signs to watch for:
- Sudden withdrawal from bank accounts
- A new “friend” who your senior is giving money to
- Misplaced bills and financial statements
- Unpaid bills or threats of eviction
- “Lost” or suddenly changed legal documents
Neglect. This form of abuse is when a caregiver isn’t tending to a senior’s needs. This could mean not feeding them enough, not providing proper shelter or not helping them with the tasks of daily life if needed (such as bathing or dressing them). This type of abuse can extend all the way into abandonment. Here are some signs that your senior loved one may be experiencing neglect in his or her life:
- They’re dirty or messy – maybe have skin rashes, uncombed hair or dirty clothes
- Sudden weight loss or loss of hunger
- Bedsores
- Missing or broken eyeglasses, dentures, hearing aids or walkers
What Should You Do If You Suspect Elder Abuse?
If you notice any of these above signs in a loved one, neighbor, friend or acquaintance, it’s important to take charge and speak up on behalf of the senior. You may very well save his or her life.
The first thing you should do is try talking to the senior you are worried about. Let him or her know that you want to help because you think something is wrong. They may not answer your questions, but if he or she tells you they are being hurt or are in danger, call 911 right away.
If the abuse is coming from a hired caregiver, you may be able to fire and report the person to appropriate parties. If the abuse is coming from a care community, you have the option to move your loved one out of the facility. If the abuse is coming from a friend or family member, you can take steps to make sure that person is prevented from seeing the senior.
You will also want to reach out to the proper authorities. You don’t need to have proof that abuse is occurring to make a report – you simply need to let the professionals know, and they will take over and investigate the situation.
If it is a non-life-threatening situation, contact your local Adult Protective Services (APS) agency. You can also visit the National Center on Elder Abuse to find resources in your state or call the Eldercare Locator (1-800-677-1116) for a referral of agencies who can help. If the abuse is coming from a long-term care community, contact your local long-term care ombudsman.
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