Elder Abuse

Abuse can affect any individual. People of all ages, genders, races, religions, and cultures could experience different forms of abuse. The CDC explains that “neglect and exploitation is experienced by about 1 in 10 people aged 60 and older who live at home. From 2002 to 2016, more than 643,000 older adults were treated in the emergency department for nonfatal assaults and over 19,000 homicides occurred.” Elder abuse is a growing issue in the United States today.  The prevalence of abuse has skyrocketed during the COVID-19 pandemic due to the prolonged amount of time spent indoors. Caregivers taking care of the elderly could be experiencing personal issues that take a toll on their emotional well-being. Abuse stems from caregivers and family members who have problems with substance abuse, mental illness, and stress.

Elder abuse can take many forms, including physical, emotional, sexual, financial, and neglect. All these variations can have devastating consequences for victims. 

Physical Abuse: This includes hitting, pushing, or rough handling of an older person. This type of abuse can cause physical injuries, including bruises, cuts, broken bones, and even death. Physical abuse can be difficult to detect, especially if the victim is unable to communicate or has physical or mental limitations that make it difficult for them to report the harassment.
Emotional Abuse: Psychological abuse can involve verbal or nonverbal acts that cause emotional pain or distress, such as yelling, threatening, or belittling an older person. Emotional abuse can also include isolating an older person from friends and family, or controlling their access to information or resources. 

Sexual Abuse:  This is another form of elder abuse that can have serious physical and emotion consequences for victims. It can include any non-consenual sexual contact or attention, such as touching, kissing, or forcing an older person to view or participate in sexual acts. Sexual abuse can be especially difficult for victims to report, as they may feel ashamed or afraid of retribution.

Financial Abuse: This involves the unauthorized use of an older person’s financial resources, such as their bank accounts, credit cards, or investments. This type of abuse can range from simple acts of theft to more complex schemes, such as fraud or identity theft. Financial abuse can leave older victims without the resources they need to pay for their needs, such as housing, food and medical care.

Neglect: This form of abuse involves the failure to provide an older person with the necessary care and support they need to meet their basic needs, such as food, water, shelter and medical care. Neglect can also involve failing to provide appropriate supervision or assistance with activities of daily living, such as bathing, dressing, or using the bathroom.

There are several warning signs that may indicate that an older individual is being abused. It is vital to pay attention to these signs and to take action if you suspect any harm. Reporting abuse can include contacting the appropriate authorities, such as the police or adult protective services, or seeking help from a trusted healthcare provider or social worker. 

• Depressed, confused, or withdrawn 

• Isolated from friends and family

• Has unexplained bruises, burns, or scars 

• Appears dirty, underfed, dehydrated, overmedicated, undermedicated, or not receiving needed care for medical problems 

• Recent changes in banking or spending patterns. 

Call the National Domestic Violence Hotline (1-800-799-SAFE) or text ‘START’ to 88788  to report abuse. 

Overall, elder abuse is a serious and often overlooked problem. It is important for family members, caregivers, and the community to be aware of the different types of abuse and the warning signs, in order to take proper action to prevent it from occurring. This way, elders will be protected from abuse and be ensured that they are able to lead a life with love and respect.

— Amrutha Banda