Identifying Elder Abuse
Every year, thousands of seniors sixty and older experience some form of abuse, called elder abuse. There are various types of abuse, and every situation will look different. Learning what elder abuse is can help you identify it, so we can all work together to keep the seniors in our community safer.
Types Of Elder Abuse
The National Center on Elder Abuse categorizes elder abuse into six types: physical, emotional, neglect, abandonment, financial, and sexual.
Physical Abuse
Physical abuse refers to any physical trauma to a senior. Common types of physical abuse include hitting, slapping, pushing, and biting. An individual does not have to leave a mark on the senior for it to be considered abuse, although bruises are often an indicator. Physical abuse can also include restraining seniors to a room or furniture.
Emotional Abuse
Emotional abuse or psychological abuse is when an individual verbally makes a senior feel uncomfortable or unsafe. Emotional abuse can include threats, yelling, or saying things in a condescending way. Seniors who are experiencing emotional abuse often end up isolated from loved ones and may show signs of depression.
Neglect
Neglect is when a caregiver isn’t providing proper care to a senior. Neglect can include not ensuring the senior has food and clean clothes. It can also mean letting the senior live in an unsafe or unclean environment. Neglect tends to happen with seniors who are unable to care for themselves.
Abandonment
Abandonment is when a senior cannot care for themselves and is left alone without assistance. Abandonment may exhibit similar signs as neglect. The biggest difference is that with neglect, the senior has someone who checks in on them, whereas with abandonment, the senior is left completely alone.
Financial Abuse
Financial abuse is when an individual steals or misuses a senior’s money. This abuse can include withdrawing funds from a senior without their permission, taking valuable items from a senior’s home, or taking Social Security benefits from seniors. Financial abuse can also include withholding money from a senior by taking debt and credit cards away.
Sexual Abuse
Sexual abuse is any form of unwanted sexual advances or behavior. Sexual abuse also includes sexual acts with a senior who may have a cognitive impairment and cannot consent to the sexual act.
Signs Of Elder Abuse
The signs of elder abuse can vary depending on the type and level of abuse. However, some signs you’ll want to look out for include:
- Withdrawing from activities or hobbies
- Isolating themselves from loved ones
- Unexplained bruises or other physical marks like bed sores
- Unexplained weight loss
- Signs of not being cared for, such as noticing a messy home or wearing dirty clothes
- Changes in spending behavior or unauthorized signatures on bank accounts
The signs don’t automatically signal abuse, but they are signs you (or a professional) should investigate quickly to ensure the senior’s safety.
Reporting Elder Abuse
If you notice signs of elder abuse, whether it’s a loved one or a client, it’s important to report the abuse to authorities.
If the senior is in immediate danger, call 9-1-1. If you suspect elder abuse but the individual is not in immediate danger, contact Adult Protective Services. Once you report it, the proper authorities will investigate the situation and provide you with the proper next steps to keep the senior safe.
Working With A Trusted Home Care Provider
We take the care of our clients seriously at Visiting Angels Farmington, NM. Our home aides and caregivers are properly vetted and trained to ensure the highest quality of care to clients. We want our clients and their families to feel confident in our care.
Contact our office today to learn more about our part-time, full-time, and temporary care services. We now offer “drop-in” Angel Call services for those with less need. Call us for more information on all of our services at 505-516-1150.