Elderly abuse is defined as the intentional infliction of physical, emotional, or sexual damage on an older adult, as well as their financial exploitation or disregard of their wellbeing by those directly responsible for their care. Each year, almost half a million complaints of elder abuse reach authorities in the United States alone, and millions of more instances go unreported.
As elderly people grow physically weak, they lose their ability to care for themselves, resist bullying, and defend themselves if assaulted. Afflictions of the mind or body may make them more difficult companions for those who live with them. And they may lose their ability to see, hear, or think as clearly as they once did, creating opportunities for unscrupulous others to take advantage of them.
Elder abuse often occurs at the senior's home: by adult children, other family members such as grandkids, or a spouse or partner. In institutional settings, particularly long-term care institutions, elder abuse may also occur.
If you have reason to believe that an older person is at danger of being neglected or overwhelmed by a caregiver, or is being financially exploited, it is critical to speak out. Every individual deserves to live in peace, decency, and respect. These recommendations may assist you in identifying warning signs of elder abuse, determining risk factors, and determining how to avoid and report the issue.
Elder abuse manifests itself in a variety of ways; some include intimidation or threats directed at the elderly, some involve neglect, and still, others involve financial deception.
The most frequent types of elder abuse are as follows: Bodily elder abuse is the intentional use of force against an older person, resulting in physical discomfort, damage, or disability. Not just physical attacks such as striking or pushing are considered abuse, but also the improper use of medicines, shackles, or imprisonment.
Elder abuse on an emotional level is the treatment of an older adult in ways that create emotional or psychological pain or suffering, such as intimidation via shouting or threats.
Embarrassment and mockery.
Frequently criticizing or scapegoating others.
Ignoring the senior citizen.
Isolating an elderly person from social interactions and activities.
Contact with an older person without their permission constitutes sexual elder abuse. Sexual elder abuse can take the form of physical sex acts, but also includes activities such as showing pornographic material to an elderly person, forcing the person to watch sex acts, or forcing the elder to undress. Financial exploitation The unauthorized use of an elderly person's funds or property, either by a caregiver or an outside scam artist.
A dishonest caregiver may: Misappropriate an elder's personal checks, credit cards, or bank accounts.
Profit through the theft of cash, income checks, or household items.
Forge the signature of the elder.
Typical scams aimed at senior citizens include the following: Announcement of a "prize" that the senior citizen has won but must pay money to claim.
False charities.
Healthcare fraud and abuse are committed by unethical physicians, nurses, hospital staff, and other health care professionals. This includes the following: not delivering healthcare but charging for it.
Receiving bribes in exchange for referring patients to other doctors or prescribing certain medications.
Recommending bogus cures for diseases or other medical problems.
Neglect of the elderly Failure to meet a caretaking duty. This accounts for more than half of all elder abuse reports. It may be deliberate or accidental, depending on circumstances such as ignorance or denial about how much care an elderly client needs.
