While traditional crime against the elderly may not be
as prevalent as other groups, abuse of the elderly is a
far more prevalent crime than previously realized. Elder
abuse crosses all social, economic and ethnic lines --
any elderly person could become a victim. It is important
to become aware of the possibility of elder abuse and to
be able to recognize signs that might suggest its occurrence.
This awareness will enable us to help neighbors, friends,
or family members who may be in trouble.
There are four general categories of elder
abuse : (1) physical abuse, (2) psychological
abuse, (3) neglect, and (4) financial (fiduciary)
abuse.
Physical Abuse
Physical abuse is the infliction of physical harm or
injury upon an elder by a person who stands in a position
of trust or who has care or custody of the older person.
Includes, but is not limited to :
- Beatings
- Sexual assault
- Unreasonable physical constraint
- Inappropriate use of physical or chemical restraint,
or psychotropic medication
- Pinching, hitting, slapping
Example :
Raul is a 76-year-old man who has a 56-year-old son with
an extensive criminal record and mental condition. His
son became abusive when Raul asked him not to wash his
car in the back yard. Raul’s son beat him in the
head and chest areas. As Raul was lying helplessly on the
living room floor pleading with him to stop, his son continued
to kick him until Raul sustained three broken ribs.
Physical Indicators :
The elderly victim may be or have:
- Uncombed hair or unshaven
- Poor skin condition or poor skin hygiene
- Unkempt, dirty
- Patches of hair missing and/or bleeding below the
scalp
- Malnourished or dehydrated
- An untreated medical condition
- Soiled clothing or bed
- Torn, stained or bloody underclothing
- Foul smelling
- Cuts, pinch marks, skin tears, lacerations or puncture
wounds
- Unexplained bruises or welts
- Bruises or welts in various stages of healing
- Burns -- may be caused by cigarettes, caustics, friction
from ropes or chains
- Injuries that are incompatible with explanations
- Injuries that reflect outline of object used to inflict
it -- electric cord, belt, hand
- Home and yard in obvious need of repair
- Isolated from contact with friends, neighbors, family
members
Psychological Abuse
Psychological or emotional abuse is the infliction of
mental anguish by using language that is demeaning, cruel,
insulting, or causes concern for one’s safety.
Includes, but is not limited to :
- Verbal assaults, threats or harassment
- Subjecting a person to fear of isolation or serious
emotional distress
- Withholding emotional support
- Confinement
- Threats of nursing home placement
- Threats to withhold medication, food or care
- Placing telephone, assistive devices (walker, wheelchair)
out of reach
Example :
Dorothy is a 78-year-old woman who lives alone. Occasionally,
her son Jesse stays with her. Jesse is verbally abusive
to Dorothy and threatens to kill her. Dorothy never knows
what kind of mood her son will be in since he abuses alcohol.
Her fear is so strong that she has had to barricade herself
in her bedroom for days at a time. Dorothy is certain that
some day her son will carry through with his threats.
Behavioral Indicators :
The elderly victim may be:
- Confused
- Frightened
- Extremely forgetful
- Withdrawn
- Depressed
- Helpless
- Angry
- Disoriented about time and place
- Telling implausible stories
- Hesitant to talk freely
Neglect
Neglect occurs when a caretaker denies an older person
food, medication, proper clothing or hygiene, or medical
attention. Unfortunately, neglect is an all too common
occurrence. In many cases, the caretaker who neglects an
elder is not aware of, or sensitive to, how severe the
consequences of his/her actions can be.
Includes, but is not limited to :
- Failure to assist in personal hygiene
- Failure to provide clothing and shelter
- Failure to provide medical care
- Failure to protect from health and safety hazards
- Failure to prevent malnutrition
- Abandonment
Example :
Helen is a 90-year-old woman who lives alone. Recently,
Helen developed some medical problems and needed someone
to assist her at home and with her meals. Helen’s
daughter Bonnie volunteered to help. Soon Bonnie was leaving
Helen alone for long periods of time and without adequate
food to sustain her. Helen’s medical conditions became
worse and soon she was unable to get out of bed without
assistance. Helen developed bedsores and became malnourished.
Social Indicators :
- Elder is isolated or lonely, with no friends or relatives
who drop by
- Family members or the caregiver isolates the elder,
restricting the person’s contact with others
- Elder’s interaction or activity within the family
is restricted or prohibited
- Family of the elder is isolated
- Elder is not given the opportunity to speak for him/herself
or see others without the caregiver present
- Family has a history of violence or drug or alcohol
abuse, with its members using those behaviors to cope
with stress
- Unemployed adult children with criminal records and
emotional problems are living with the elder
Financial (Fiduciary) Abuse
Financial abuse can be perpetrated by trusted family
members and friends as well as strangers.
Includes, but is not limited to :
- Theft
- Embezzlement
- Misuse of funds or property
- Extortion
- Fraud
- Scams
Example :
Samuel, a 67-year-old man, was approached by his son
Gary and asked to sign some bank documents. Gary promised
to take care of all Samuel’s financial responsibilities.
Samuel, not wanting to upset Gary, signed the documents.
After a few months, Samuel’s daughter came to visit
and discovered that her father was not being cared for
by her brother. Samuel’s daughter Amy went to the
bank and discovered all of her father’s life savings
had been removed.
Financial Indicators :
- Unusual activity in bank accounts, such as withdrawal
from automatic teller machines when the person cannot
walk or get to the bank
- Signatures on checks and other documents that do not
resemble the older person’s signature
- Checks and other documents are signed when the elder
cannot write
- Lack of amenities -- television, personal grooming
items, appropriate clothing
- Pattern of spending changes -- the elderly person
buys things he or she does not need and cannot use
- Numerous unpaid bills and overdue rent -- when someone
has been designated to pay the bills
- The elder has been placed in a nursing home or residential
care facility that is inconsistent with his/her income
or assets. For example, a senior with income of $2,000
a month is placed in a board and care facility costing
only $350 a month
- The elder is denied necessary placement and/or services
by the person controlling the elder’s resources.
For example, the elder needs in-home support services
but the relative or person controlling the assets will
not spend the money because he or she wants to preserve
the potential inheritance.
