Elder Abuse Prevention

Elder abuse is abuse of an “elder” (anyone 65 years of age or older), or a “dependent adult” (anyone 18-64 years of age who has mental or physical limitations that restrict his/her ability to carry out normal activities or to protect his/her rights).

• Physical abuse includes physical force that may result in bodily injury or physical pain. Physical abuse includes acts such as striking, hitting, beating, pushing, shoving, shaking, slapping, kicking, pinching, and burning. Inappropriate use of drugs and physical restraints, force-feeding, and physical punishment are also examples.
• Sexual abuse is sexual contact of any kind without permission, as well as sexual contact with any person incapable of giving consent.
• Emotional or Psychological abuse means causing mental pain by threatening, intimidating, humiliating, harassing, or isolating an older person or dependent adult.
• Neglect is the failure to provide care to a frail or impaired person by not providing life necessities such as food, water, clothing, shelter, personal hygiene, medicine, comfort, or personal safety. If a caregiver has assumed financial responsibilities, refusal to pay for these necessities can be considered abuse.
• Financial abuse is the illegal or improper use of an elder's or dependent adult’s money, property, or assets. Examples include cashing a person’s checks without permission, forging a signature, misusing or stealing money or possessions, coercing or deceiving a person into signing any document (e.g., contracts or will), and the improper use of legal documents.
• Abandonment of an elder or dependent adult in a situation that could harm them is abuse.
• Abduction and removal from California of any elder or dependent adult who does not have the capacity to consent can be abuse, or removal of a conservatee without the consent of the conservator or the court.
• Isolation can be abuse when someone violates the personal rights of an elder or dependent adult. Abuse by isolation can take the form of false imprisonment and restraint, preventing delivery of mail, telephone calls, or visiting from family, friends, and service providers.
• Domestic violence in late life is violence between spouses, intimate partners, or couples who are dating. This can be physical, emotional, or sexual abuse, and can occur in both heterosexual and homosexual couples.
• Self-neglect is when an elder or dependent adult is unable or unwilling to provide for his or her own health or safety. For example, refusal or failure to provide self with adequate food, water, clothing, shelter, personal hygiene, medication, or safety precautions.

Ninety percent (90%) of abuse of elders and dependent adults is committed by family, usually spouses or adult children. Often the abuser is misusing drugs or alcohol, is financially dependent on the victim, and/or has untreated mental health issues.

• Negative attitude toward older adults (ageism)
• Disbelief
• "It's not my business"
• Lack of knowledge about signs of abuse or proper reporting procedure
• Reluctance/fear of confronting the offender
• Fear of jeopardizing relationship with person or person's family
• Mistreated person requests that abuse not be reported (believe they are at fault; innate distrust of authorities; fear of institutionalization).

• Female
• Older (+80 years)
• Isolated (including language barrier)
• Low income
• Physical or mental impairment
• Substance abuse (by caregiver or by older person)
• Psychological disorders (of caregiver or of older person)
• Previous history of family violence
• Caregiver burnout or frustration

• General: Reluctance to provide access or answer questions; implausible or vague explanations for situation; irregular pattern of behavior.
• Home: Newspapers/mail accumulating; lack of attention to house; large numbers of people using home; drug activity; odd noises, bad odors.
• Financial: irregular pattern of spending/withdrawals; frequent purchases of inappropriate items; withdrawals made in spite of penalties; bills not paid; utilities turned off; "new best friend."
• Physical signs: Multiple bruises; pattern injuries; elder lacks necessary helping devices.
• Elder is depressed, appears to have dementia, shows signs of anxiety, fears a caregiver, and/or is isolated by the caregiver.
• Caregiver is excessively concerned about costs of services or supplies, attempts to dominate elder, is verbally abusive of elder or you, and/or shows evidence of substance abuse or mental health problems. Financial dependence on the elder is also a warning sign.

Click here for helpful websites on elder abuse prevention.