Elder Abuse

Physical abuse: physical pain or injury inflicted on an elder.
This can manifest in unexplained cuts, bruises, or burns as well as malnutrition. Abusive behavior also includes the use of restraints and the misuse of medication.

Neglect: the failure to provide adequate or necessary care to a dependent person by a caregiver.
This means that the dependent person lacks necessities such as food and water or lives in unsafe conditions. Neglect can also result in unattended medical needs, poor hygiene and weight loss due to malnutrition.

Emotional abuse: any act including confinement, isolation, verbal assault, humiliation, intimidation, infantilization, or any other treatment which may diminish the sense of identity, dignity, and self-worth.
You may recognize an individual’s emotional abuse through an unexplained withdrawal from their normal activities, a sudden change in mental welfare such as alertness or confusion or the onset of depression.

Sexual abuse: any unwanted sexual contact without consent. It can include rape, assault, undressing or forcing to watch explicit material or sexual acts.
It can manifest in bruising around the breasts or genital area and the emergence of sexually transmitted infections. If you notice that the individual has new difficulty sitting, walking, or has other signs of a pelvic injury, they may be experiencing sexual abuse.

Financial abuse: the illegal or improper use of funds, property or assets.
This type of abuse costs older Americans over $2.6 billion annually. It can be seen in a sudden change of financial standing, a suspicious change in power of attorney or in wills, excessive financial reimbursements or gifts and in outright scams and theft.