Elder Abuse: What is it and How to Look for Warning Signs

More and more Americans are being confronted with the challenge of protecting themselves or their loved ones from the threats of elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation.

According to the National Council on Aging, financial exploitation, a common form of elder abuse, is estimated to cause $28.3 billion in losses each year. While pre-pandemic sources estimated approximately 1 in 10 Americans age 60+ have experienced some form of elder abuse. A more recent study found that 1 in 5 older adults reported elder abuse during the COVID-19 pandemic.

What is elder abuse?

Elder abuse is an umbrella term used to describe one of more of the following:

• Physical abuse: the infliction of physical pain or injury on a senior (slapping, bruising, restraining with physical or chemical means).

• Sexual abuse: is the non-consenual sexual contact of any kind.

• Neglect: is the failure by those responsible to provide food, shelter, health care, or protection for a vulnerable elder.

• Exploitation: is the illegal taking, misuse, or concealment of funds, property, or assets of a senior for someone else’s benefit. 

• Emotional abuse: is the infliction of mental pain, anguish, or distress on an elder person through verbal or nonverbal acts (humiliating, intimidating, or threatening)

• Abandonment: is the desertion of a vulnerable elder by anyone who has assumed the responsibility for care or custody of that person

• Self-neglect: is characterized as the failure of a person to perform essential, self-care tasks that such failure threatens his/her own health or safety. 

If you are concerned about elder abuse happening to a loved one in your life, here are some warning signs to look out for:

Warning signs of physical abuse:

• Bruises, black eyes, welts, lacerations, or rope marks

• Bone fractures, broken bones, or skull fractures

• Open wounds, cuts, punctures, untreated injuries in various stages of healing

• Sprains, dislocations, or internal injuries/bleeding

• Broken eyeglasses/frames, physical signs of being subjected to punishment, or signs of being restrained

• Laboratory findings of medication overdose or under-utilization of prescribed drugs

• An older adult’s sudden change in behavior

• The caregiver's refusal to allow visitors to see or speak to an older adult alone

• An older adult’s report of being hit, slapped, kicked, or mistreated

Warning signs of emotional/psychological abuse:

• Being emotionally upset or agitated

• Being extremely withdrawn, non-communicative, or non-responsive

• Unusual behavior, such as sucking, biting, rocking 

• Witnessing a caregiver controlling or isolating an older adult 

• Exhibiting a change in sleeping patterns or eating habits

• Personality changes, such as apologizing excessively

• Depression or anxiety

• An older adult’s report of being verbally or emotionally mistreated

Warning signs of financial exploitation:

• Sudden changes in bank accounts or banking practices, including an unexplained withdrawal of large sums of money by a person accompanying the older adult

• The inclusion of additional names on an older adult’s bank signature card

• Unauthorized withdrawal of the older adult’s funds using their ATM card

• Abrupt changes in a will or other financial documents

• Unexplained disappearance of funds or valuable possessions

• Discovery of a forged signature for financial transactions or for the titles of the older adult’s possessions

• Sudden appearance of previously uninvolved relatives claiming their rights to an older adult’s property or possessions

• Unexplained sudden transfer of assets to a family member or someone outside the family

• The provision of services that are not necessary

• An older adult’s report of financial exploitation

• Unexplained credit card charges

Warning signs of neglect and abandonment:

• Dehydration, malnutrition, untreated bed sores, and poor personal hygiene

• Unattended or untreated health problems

• Hazardous or unsafe living conditions/arrangements (e.g., improper wiring, no heat, or no running water)

• Unsanitary and unclean living condition (e.g., dirt, fleas, lice on person, soiled bedding, fecal/urine smell, inadequate clothing)

• The desertion of an older adult at a hospital, a nursing facility, or other similar institution, or a shopping center or other public location

Warning signs of sexual abuse:

• Bruises around the breasts or genital area

• Unexplained venereal disease or genital infections

• Unexplained vaginal or anal bleeding

• Changes in an older adult’s demeanor, such as showing fear or becoming withdrawn when a specific person is around

• Evidence of pornographic material being shown to an older adult with diminished capacity

• Blood found on sheets, linens or an older adult’s clothing

• An older adult’s report of being sexually assaulted or raped

*All of these warning signs are from the U.S. Department of Justice: Elder Justice Initiative

If you suspect elder abuse, it is crucial to report it.

Please call 1-800-677-1116, or visit http://www.eldercare.gov for assistance in locating the nearest reporting agency. If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, call 911 or the local police where the senior lives to get help right away.