Abuse affects many older adults, with signs of elder abuse often being subtle or hidden. Knowing the warning signs of abuse means you can better support and protect your aging loved ones.
Are Older Adults at Risk of Abuse?
Older adults are unfortunately at high risk of abuse, fraud, and neglect.
Reasons that people take advantage of, or outright harm, seniors include:
- Many older adults live with physical or cognitive impairments that may make it harder for them to recognize the abuse or fight back.
- Social isolation, common among the elderly, can make it harder for victims to report abuse or seek help.
- Many scammers believe that older adults have valuable “nest eggs” (retirement savings) and are easier to deceive than other age groups, making them attractive targets.
- Caregiver stress, caregiver substance abuse, or a history of family violence can all also increase the risk of elder abuse.
Types of Abuse: Definitions & Warnings Signs of Elder Abuse
Common types of abuse include physical abuse, financial abuse, sexual abuse, verbal abuse, and caregiver neglect, all of which can have severe consequences on someone’s physical or mental capacity.
Physical Abuse
Physical abuse involves intentional physical violence or discomfort and can come from caregivers, family members, romantic partners, or someone else.
Warning signs of physical abuse include:
- Broken bones
- Black eyes
- Behavioral changes
Financial Abuse
Elder financial abuse encompasses behaviors such as misusing an older person’s funds, bank accounts, or credit cards, or exploiting their Social Security benefits or life insurance policies. It can also involve elder fraud, which are specific types of scams and schemes to defraud older people of their money and assets.
Warning signs of financial abuse include:
- Unpaid bills
- Unusual withdrawals of money from bank accounts
- New romantic partners, friends, or relatives you haven’t met
Sexual Abuse
Sexual abuse involves forcing sexual activity, threatening sexual abuse, or making unwanted sexual comments or advances on an unwilling person.
Common signs of sexual abuse include:
- Sexually transmitted diseases/sexually transmitted infections
- Bruising around the chest or genital area
- Fear or anxiety around a specific person
Emotional and Verbal Abuse
Emotional/psychological abuse and verbal abuse involve coercive or threatening behavior, insulting or disrespectful comments that belittle the victim, or unwanted sexualized behavior that causes distress or fear.
Common signs of emotional and verbal abuse include:
- Low self-esteem
- Emotional withdrawal
- New or worsening mental health problems
- Profuse apologies
Caregiver Neglect
Caregiver neglect and mistreatment means failing to provide adequate food, medical care, or basic hygiene to an older adult, leading to poor physical health or physical discomfort. This abuse can occur in long-term care settings, like a nursing home or assisted living facility, or in the older person’s own home.
Warning signs of caregiver neglect include:
- Weight loss
- Bed sores
- Poor hygiene
What to Do If You Suspect Elder Abuse
If you suspect elder abuse, report it to the relevant authorities, such as protective services or law enforcement. Doing so can help prevent further harm and ensure your aging loved one receives necessary support and protection.
1. Contact Emergency Services
If your loved one is in immediate danger, contact 911 or the emergency number in your area.
2. Report the Abuse
Report the abuse to the proper authorities, which can include:
- Your local police department
- Adult protective services programs
- A long-term care ombudsman
- The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) for financial scams
- The FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (ic3.gov) for elder fraud
- The National Elder Fraud Hotline (1-833-FRAUD-11 or 833-372-8311)
When reporting abuse, provide as much detail as possible, including the type of abuse, the perpetrator, and any evidence or witnesses.
3. Contact an Attorney
Reach out to an elder law attorney to learn more about what you can do to hold abusers accountable and seek justice for your loved one.
4. Support Your Loved One
Have a family conversation to determine next steps. Ask the hard questions:
- What were the warning signs?
- What can be done to prevent this from happening in the future?
- What type of support does your loved one need moving forward (e.g., counseling or financial education)?
Elder Abuse FAQs
What are the 3 Rs of elder abuse?
The “three Rs” of elder abuse refer to Recognize, Respond, and Refer.
- Recognize the types of abuse and specific signs of abuse.
- Respond in an appropriate way, including providing a safe space for the victim to voice their concerns.
- Refer to the proper resources, which include reporting abuse to the authorities.
What are the 5 signs of emotional abuse in adults?
Signs that someone is engaging in abusive behavior against another adult include:
- Constant belittling, humiliating, or criticizing
- Socially isolating the victim
- Controlling or manipulating the victim and people around them
- Gaslighting
- Ignoring boundaries
What to do if you suspect an elderly person is being abused?
If you suspect elder abuse, report it right away to your local police and other authorities, including the FBI (ic3.gov), your local long-term care ombudsman, and the FTC.
Final Thoughts
Responding to elder abuse requires a comprehensive approach, including recognizing the signs of abuse, reporting the maltreatment, providing support and protection to the older adult, and holding the perpetrator accountable. This process may involve working with law enforcement, protective services, and other organizations to ensure the older adult’s safety and well-being.
Disclaimer: Each person’s situation is unique. This article is for general informational purposes only and is not intended to take the place of medical, financial, tax or legal advice.