4 Types of Elder Abuse and Preventive Measures

Older adults can be at risk of abuse by anybody, from their doctors to their neighbors and even friends. Elder abuse may be defined as any sort of treatment on purpose or mistreatment of a senior, which deprives him or her of basic necessities, dignity, and self-respect, personal integrity, care and safety, and resources such as property or income.

Home Care Roseville professionals suggest families to always stay diligent looking out for any signs of elder abuse. It can happen at any time at all income levels, to all religious beliefs and ethnicity, and to any gender. It is typically intentional but can also be unintentional due to carelessness. Furthermore, defrauding of assets is also considered as abuse. Mentioned below are 4 common types of elder abuse families must keep an eye on.

Physical Elder Abuse

Physical abuse has many forms intended to harm a senior by hitting, beating, burning, kicking, restraining, punching, slapping, and shoving. Neglect also contributes to physical abuse by depriving seniors of basic care necessities, like food, shelter, clothing, a clean environment or anything that may deprive them of overall well-being. Wrong use of drugs, sleeping pills or narcotics, and appetite suppressants are forms of abuse. Mobility impaired or bedridden seniors must be regularly bathed and turned to avoid bedsores, which indicate neglect and therefore considered abuse.

Emotional Elder Abuse

Emotional abuse may not be as visible as physical abuse, but leaves severe damages on seniors’ emotions and psychology, and stops them from being confident and independent. The people involved in this type of abuse are often friends, so threatening is particularly traumatic for seniors.

If their caregiver gives them the silent treatment, it is also known as abuse, as he or she isolates seniors from their loved ones. This is the reason why hiring a trained caregiver from a reputable home care Folsom agency is considered paramount for seniors’ emotional and physical well-being.

Disrespecting is also considered abuse. Seniors should not be treated like children, but adults. If your loved one is fearful of someone, or behaves hesitantly in front of a certain person, make sure to ask them if they are emotionally abused, comfort them and try solving the issue on your own or with concerned authorities.

Sexual Elder Abuse

Not only the children and young, but seniors are also at the risk of sexual abuse because they are physically weak and unable to run away for protection. This involves physical contact, explicit pictures, forced nudity, or unwanted advances. Check if your elderly loved one has a genital or anal infection as a result of sexual abuse.

Financial Elder Abuse 

Seniors often have some people serving as their power of attorneys, that is why they are mostly at the risk of financial abuse. People like family members, nurses, and unprofessional and fraudulent caregivers hold significant positions, typically having access to all the personal information of a senior and fostering a close, trusting relationship with them. Sometimes, a scam artist may make grandiose promises to get their life savings or any other possessions they have. This may include cashing checks without approval, misusing of their power of attorney, faking signatures on documents, scams, and theft.

Families must stay vigilant for these four types of elder abuse, encourage their loved ones to immediately complain if any incident occurs, and report if they find anyone suspicious. To lower the risk of elder abuse, you can also reach out to reputable home care providers, seniors and families trust.