What is Elder Abuse

Elder abuse is a general term used to describe mistreatment or harm done to older men or women. This act of abuse may be a one time incident or may occur repeatedly over a period of time. 

According to the World Health Organization put forth by the Action on Elder Abuse, many cases of elder abuse are brought on by an individual who the elder trusts. Some forms of elder abuse are recognized as family violence cases or domestic abuse.

• Elder Abuse and Neglect: Here you will find warning signs, risk factors, prevention and a help guide to elder abuse.
• Basics of Elder Abuse: Overview, prevention, screening, conditions and related issues regarding the abuse of elders.
• About NCEA: The National Center of Elder Abuse explains why you should care about elder abuse and statistics.
• The Issue of Elder Abuse: Information regarding elder abuse from the National Committee for the Prevention of Elder Abuse (NCPEA).
• Help for Victims of Elder Abuse: Organizations that help victims of elder abuse regain their lives.
• What Is Elder Abuse: Here you will find a description of elder abuse, warning signs and resources.

There are several types of elder abuse that can manifest in people of all difference backgrounds, cultures, lifestyles, colors and race. The most common types of elder abuse include emotional, physical, sexual, neglect and exploitation. 

Psychological or emotional elder abuse includes yelling, swearing, humiliating or freighting the elder into a particular action. Physical elder abuse can include slapping, hitting, pushing, punching, kicking, burning, confinement, restraining or supplying false or excessive medication. Sexual elder abuse is when an individual forces an elder to participate in sexual activity or sexual conversations against their will. 

Neglect against elders is when food, clothing, heat, medication or other essential is deprived from the elder for whatever purpose. Exploitation involves illegal use of the elderly persons money, property, pension or valuables. Signs of elder abuse may include the elderly person feeling depressed, withdrawn, anxious or afraid to make their own decision. 

They may tell someone that they trust they are being abused, sleep too much or have the inability to sleep, hide something from a caregiver, avoid going to see a doctor or may run away from their residence.

• Crimes of Violence: Find information on the various types of elder abuse including financial, physical, emotional and neglect.
• Suspected Elder Abuse: Overview and help guide for elder abuse from the Center of Excellence on Elder Abuse and Neglect.
• National Institute of Justice: Here you will find information regarding elder abuse as a criminal problem.
• Elder Abuse Hotline: Call the Elder Abuse and Neglect Hotline or Central Registry Unit (CRU) for all reports of alleged abuse.
• Elder Abuse in Nursing Homes: Statistics on elder abuse that occurs inside nursing homes throughout the years.
• Elder Abuse Unit: Tips for caregivers and family members to help identity elderly abuse.

The abuser can be anyone from a paid care worker, partner, spouse, relative, friend, neighbor or practitioner. The perpetrators of elder abuse are typically anyone that the elder trusts or acts as an authority figure. Elder abuse commonly occurs in families for financial reasons as in a advanced inheritance, money, valuables or property. 

When dealing with a paid care worker, abuse can occur for a pure sense of satisfaction, lack or knowledge or training or insufficient resources of the facility. Elder abuse can occur in any place where the senior resides or visits, such as medical facilities, the homes of friends, family members and neighbors, and even their own home or place or residence. 

Some cases of elder abuse are not reported, especially in situations when the elder is unable to protect themselves or tell authorities. This is common when the elder is immobile, paralyzed, relies on their abusive caretaker or has a medical condition that makes it hard to understand the situation, as in dementia. One can help prevent elder abuse by being informed and knowing the common signs of elder abuse and agencies that can help. 

Monitor your loved one’s care, keep notes and medical records and check the physical and emotional condition of the resident on a regular basis. During and after elder abuse has been confirmed, family and friends should plan frequent visits on different days and times of the week. It’s extremely important to help the victim work through the situation and stay connected to supply reassurance and a sense of safety.

• What Should I Know About Elder Abuse: Pamphlets and publications related to elder abuse and prevention.
• Elder Abuse Special Feature: Information on the National Elder Mistreatment Study from the National Criminal Justice Reference Service (NCJRS).
• Abuse and Neglect: Learn who are mandatory reporters of elderly abuse, signs of abuse and neglect, laws and rules and protective services.
• Definition of Elder Abuse: Find a description of elder or dependent adult abuse in persons age 65 and over.
• Victim and Abuse Characteristics: Learn how the victim of elder abuse and the abuser themselves feel about the topic.
• How to Report and Prevent Elder Abuse: Groups most at risk for elder abuse and how to report and prevent it.

If you suspect elder abuse, it’s important to report it immediately to law enforcement to stop the abuse before it is repeated. When abusers are removed from the homes of elderly residents, they are then able to live happy and healthy lives.

• Elder Maltreatment Prevention: Data, statistics, diseases, conditions and information on elder abuse prevention.
• Types of Elder Abuse: Learn potential indicators of elder abuse, intervention, self-neglect causes, prevention and links.
• Commission of Aging and Disability: Available programs for elderly abuse victims and statistics on reported cases.
• Prevention of Elder Abuse: Learn who to call to report abuse, foundation, training and activities associated with elder abuse.
• Violence Internet Program: Program created to help prevent elder abuse from the Elder Abuse Forensic Center (EAFC).
• Elder Abuse Agencies: List of agencies and organizations dedicated to stop abusers of elder residents.
• What Is Elder Abuse and How to Report It: Learn about elder abuse and how an allegation report against a suspected abuser is made.