Self-neglect
This is the most common form of abuse in older adults. Self-neglect occurs when the adult aged 60+ cannot not meet their basic needs and this puts their health, safety, and well-being at risk. This may occur when an older adult is unable to maintain adequate food, clothing, shelter, and health care.
Examples of self-neglect include forgetting to take medication, hoarding, and an inability to maintain personal hygiene. Self-neglect can also include an inability to properly manage one's finances which may result in problems paying bills or rent. Additionally, if an older adult is unable to meet their basic financial needs due to a scam, this can be considered a form of self-neglect.
Caregiver neglect
This type of abuse occurs when a caregiver fails to support the physical, emotional, and social needs of the older adult who is dependent on others for their primary care.
Examples of caregiver neglect include withholding food, medications, or access to health care professionals. Additionally, caregiver neglect may take place if the caregiver does not provide appropriate supervision, leading to wandering or other unsafe behaviors in the older adult.
Financial exploitation
Financial exploitation includes the misuse, mishandling or exploitation of property, possessions, or assets of adults. This also includes using another’s assets without consent, under false pretense, or through coercion and/or manipulation.
Examples of financial exploitation include someone cashing an older adults’ check without permission or authorization, someone forging the older adults’ signature on a financial document, as well as friends or family members frequently borrowing money and not repaying the older adult.
Emotional abuse
Emotional abuse involves creating emotional pain, distress, or anguish using threats, intimidation, or humiliation.
Examples of emotional abuse include insults, yelling or threats of harm and/or isolation, or non-verbal actions such as throwing objects or glaring to project fear and/or intimidation.
Physical abuse
Physical abuse includes slapping, hitting, beating, bruising, or causing the older adult physical pain, injury, or suffering.
Examples of physical abuse include confining an adult against their will, such as locking someone in a room or tying them to furniture.
Sexual abuse
Sexual abuse includes physical force, threats, or coercion to facilitate non-consensual touching, fondling, intercourse, or other sexual activities. This is particularly true with vulnerable adults who are unable to give consent or comprehend the nature of these actions.
Sexual abuse may include groping, assault, rape, excessive scrubbing of the body, overly intrusive touching, forced pornography viewing, and undergoing medical procedures that are not deemed necessary.
Warning signs of abuse
Physical abuse, neglect, or mistreatment:
- Bruises
- Pressure marks
- Broken bones
- Abrasions
- Burns
Emotional abuse:
- Unexplained withdrawal from normal activities
- Sudden change in alertness
- Unusual depression
- Strained or tense relationships
- Frequent arguments between the caregiver and older adult
Financial abuse:
- Sudden changes in financial situations
Self-neglect:
- Malnutrition/dehydration, poor hygiene, bedsores, inappropriate clothing
- Mismanagement of medications
- Home safety issues, hoarding behavior, lack of proper utilities
- Eviction or foreclosure
- Wandering, unsafe behavior such as unsafe smoking, unsafe driving
- Unpaid bills, compulsive spending
Verbal or emotional abuse:
- Belittling
- Threats
- Other uses of power and control by individuals