Types of Abuse:
- Physical abuse causes bodily harm by hitting, pushing, or slapping. This type of abuse can be denying a vulnerable adult enough food/water, medications or assistive devices like a cane, walker, hearing aids and glasses. Giving a vulnerable adult unnecessary tranquilizers/sleeping pills, confining the person to a room or restraining him/her to a bed or wheelchair is physical abuse.
- Emotional abuse, sometimes called psychological abuse, can include a person saying hurtful words, yelling, threatening, humiliating or repeatedly ignoring the vulnerable adult.
- Neglect occurs when a caregiver does not respond to a vulnerable adult’s needs. For instance providing clothing inappropriate for weather conditions, not assisting with basic hygiene or access to medical care. Neglect can be environmental like a home that is dirty, in need of repairs, has fire and other safety hazards does not have utilities, working plumbing or heating/cooling.
- Abandonment is leaving a vulnerable adult alone without planning for his/her care.
- Sexual abuse involves a caregiver forcing a vulnerable adult to watch or be part of sexual acts.
- Financial abuse happens when money or belongings are stolen. It can include forging checks, taking retirement or Social Security benefits, or using a person’s credit cards and bank accounts. It also includes changing names on a will, bank account, life insurance policy, or title to a house without permission from the vulnerable adult.
- Healthcare fraud can be committed by doctors, hospital staff, and other healthcare workers. It includes overcharging, billing twice for the same service, falsifying Medicaid or Medicare claims, or charging for care that wasn’t provided.
- Scams are dishonest schemes performed by a dishonest individual, group, or company in an attempt to obtain money or something else of value.
Signs That Someone May Be Experiencing Elder Abuse:
- Trouble sleeping or sleeping too much
- Seems depressed or confused
- Makes excuses for abuser
- Weight loss for no reason
- Displays signs of trauma, like rocking back and forth
- Acts agitated, violent, or defensive
- Becomes withdrawn
- Stops taking part in activities he/she enjoys, isolation
- Have unexplained bruises, burns, scars, or fractures
- Looks messy, with unwashed hair, body or dirty clothes
- Develops bed sores or other preventable conditions
