Elder Abuse and Neglect

Types

Warning Signs

Risk Factors

Prevention Tips

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Types of Elder Abuse and Neglect

Abuses can happen to any group of people. One age group that is considered to be extremely vulnerable and susceptible to such acts would be the elderly. To tackle the issue of their mistreatment, the types of abuse must be identified first hand.

Elderly abuse consists of:

Physical abuse - The act of assaulting and causing bodily harm. This also extends to restraining their freedom by locking them in their rooms.
Emotional abuse - The act of berating, yelling hurtful words and threatening them.
Sexual abuse - Coercing and forcing the elderly to perform or be complicit in sexual acts.
Financial abuse - Stealing and taking money or belongings from the elderly. This also includes forging checks and using their financial savings for one’s own benefit.

Another aspect of mistreatment includes neglect. This occurs when the caregiver does not respond to the physical and emotional needs of the elderly.

Furthermore, the issue of abandonment is one that needs to be noted. This is the act of alleviating responsibility to care for an elderly by leaving them to live on their own even though they are incapable to do so.

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Warning Signs

One challenging aspect of protecting the elderly from such abuse is by identifying them. Often times the elderly are reluctant to report them as they may feel ashamed and even afraid to do so. Thus, it is up to family members or acquaintances to identify warning signs that may, at times, be subtle to the point that they may be overlooked. These warning signs depends on the type of abuse that they may suffer.

Burns, sores and bruises
Cuts and scrapes
Broken bones (in extreme circumstances)

Significant depletion from bank accounts.
Unexplained and peculiar transactions.
The elder gives monetary gifts in exchange for companionship.

Neglect is harder to notice compared to abuse as the effects may not be apparent by looking at the elder. Thus, noticing the surrounding living conditions is needed as neglect stems from inadequate care.

Symptoms of Neglect includes:

Lack of basic hygiene, food and water supply.
Unclean and unhygienic living conditions such as dirty beds.
Missing basic medical supplies such as first aids, dentures and walkers.

Hesitant to speak freely.
Isolating and withdrawing from others.
Often resorting to making lies about how an injury occurred.
Displaying symptoms of anxiety and depression.
Reduced to anger and outbursts.

Bruises on thighs and genitals.
Bleeding, pain and irritation on their genitals.
Inappropriate relationships between caregiver and elder.

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Risk Factors

3. Mental Health

Older people are more likely to be diagnosed with mental illness such as dementia or some other form of psychological conditions. This affects their communication and judgement abilities and their behaviour, making them vulnerable.

4. Ageism

This means that there is an existing discrimination towards people due to their age. Due to their physical and mental degeneration, older people are often seen as valuable in society and more of a burden. This sometimes would cause mistreatment.

5. Financial Status

It is often known that elders with financial troubles are more prone to abuse. However, well off elders are also vulnerable targets as carers with money troubles may target their resources. Furthermore, richer elderly people are subject to online scams.

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As people age, they are more exposed to forms of elder abuse. Thus, it is important for us to know the various types of causations that allow for such misfortunes. These are called risk factors. They are factors which increase the possibility of elder abuse. Such factors include:

1. Dependency

There are more opportunities of elder abuse for those who are dependent on others for emotional, physical and mental assistance. Abusers would capitalise on this to take away their personal autonomy.

2. Social Isolation

Elderly folk who are more socially isolated are more prone to abuse. This is due to the minimal contact that they have with family members and friends. Hence, it would be harder for them to report any mistreatment or abuse.

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Prevention Tips

Those who are in direct contact with the elderly either through family ties or as acquaintances are encouraged to take initiatives to prevent them from any forms of abuse. There are various ways to do so. They comprise of:

1. Listening to both the elderly and their caregivers

This helps to understand their relationship dynamic. Should they face any challenges any form of help would be beneficial for them.

2. Educate yourself others to recognise and be more conscious of the signs of abuse

Symptoms of abuse may be too subtle for us to notice without adequate observation. Thus, research about its symptoms would train you to be perceptive about it.

3. Check-in with elderly folks who have few family and friends

Regular meet-ups with them allows you to have updates about their well being. You would also be able to help them out should they require assistance.

4. Encourage the elders to attend social events

This helps to prevent isolation. By attending community events, the elders would have the opportunity to meet with others and enable them to not be susceptible to loneliness.

5. Partake in physical activities with them

This helps them to preserve their mental health and helps them to be happy. Light exercises such as a breeze walk are sufficient.

6. Teach them about scams

Advise them that people in their age group are extremely vulnerable to such scams. Hence, teaching them about the existing types, detecting them and telling their loved ones about it is necessary.