The Signs & Symptoms of Elder Abuse

Education is the first step in prevention

What are the Signs & Symptoms of Elder Abuse and Neglect?

Elder abuse and neglect is a growing concern in the United States, as approximately 1 in 10 Americans aged 60 and over have reported experiencing some form of abuse. Elder abuse can take many forms, including physical, financial, and emotional abuse, as well as neglect. To help you understand the signs and symptoms of elder abuse and neglect, we have provided the following information.

Physical Abuse & Neglect

Physical abuse of elders can include a range of actions, from hitting and slapping to kicking and mistreatment. Neglect, on the other hand, refers to the refusal or failure to provide an elderly person with necessary care, such as food, water, shelter, personal hygiene, medicine, and other essentials of daily living.

Signs and symptoms of physical abuse in elders can include:
  1. Bruises, black eyes, welts, lacerations, and rope marks
  2. Bone fractures, broken bones, and skull fractures
  3. Open wounds, cuts, punctures, and untreated injuries in various stages of healing
  4. Sprains, dislocations, and internal injuries/bleeding
  5. Broken eyeglasses or frames, physical signs of being subjected to punishment, and signs of being restrained
  6. Laboratory findings of medication overdose or underutilization of prescribed drugs
  7. An elder’s report of being hit, slapped, kicked, or mistreated
  8. An elder’s sudden change in behavior
  9. Caregiver’s refusal to allow visitors to see the elder alone
 
Signs and symptoms of neglect in elders can include:
  1. Dehydration, malnutrition, bed sores, fractures, urinary tract infections, contractures, over-medication, elopements, and poor personal hygiene
  2. Unattended or untreated health problems
  3. Hazardous or unsafe living conditions (e.g., improper wiring, no heat, no running water)
  4. Unsanitary and unclean living conditions (e.g., dirt, fleas, lice on the person, soiled bedding, fecal/urine odor, inadequate clothing)
  5. An elder’s report of being mistreated

 

Financial Abuse

Elder financial abuse is a serious issue, with elderly Americans losing an estimated $2.9 billion to financial exploitation every year. This type of abuse can cause significant psychological distress for the victim, as well as financial hardship.

Signs and symptoms of financial abuse in elders can include:
  1. Inability to spend money as they wish
  2. Bills are not being paid on time despite having the financial resources to do so
  3. Forced to sell or give away property, sign over power of attorney, or change title of the property to someone else
  4. Offered care in exchange for property or access to bank accounts
  5. Unusual activity in the elder’s bank account, such as an ATM withdrawal when the elder is bedridden
  6. Sudden changes in the elder’s financial situation
  7. Missing belongings
  8. Sudden changes in the elder’s will
  9. Unusual activity in the elder’s bank account
  10. Changes to financial decisions that the elder seems unable to comprehend
  11. Isolation from friends and/or family
  12. Fear of speaking in front of a caregiver, companion, or family member
  13. Purchasing items that the elder cannot use, such as a lifetime membership at a gym
  14. Receiving care well above what is needed

 

At the Elder Protection Center, our priority is to protect the people you love. If you or a loved one is experiencing elder abuse or neglect, you are not alone. We are here to help navigate the complexities and concerns that come with aging and would be happy to hear from you. Our team is standing by to provide support and assistance.

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