Definition: 

Elder Abuse is most often defined as: “Single or repeated acts, or lack of appropriate action, occurring within a relationship where there is an expectation of trust, which causes harm or distress to an older person.” (WHO, 2002)

General signs of abuse 

The following are warning signs of some kind of elder abuse:

• Frequent arguments or tension between the caregiver and the elderly person
• Changes in personality or behavior in the elder

It’s important to remain alert. The suffering is often in silence. If you notice changes in personality, behavior, or physical condition, you should start to question what is going on.

If you suspect elderly abuse, but aren't sure, look for clusters of the following physical and behavioral signs.

Physical abuse

• Unexplained signs of injury such as bruises, welts, or scars, especially if they appear symmetrically on two side of the body
• Broken bones, sprains, or dislocations
• Report of drug overdose or apparent failure to take medication regularly (a prescription has more remaining than it should)
• Broken eyeglasses or frames
• Signs of being restrained, such as rope marks on wrists
• Caregiver’s refusal to allow you to see the elder alone

Emotional abuse

In addition to the general signs above, indications of emotional elder abuse include:

• Threatening, belittling, or controlling caregiver behavior that you witness
• Behavior from the elder that mimics dementia, such as rocking, sucking, or mumbling to oneself

Sexual abuse

• Bruises around breasts or genitals
• Unexplained venereal disease or genital infections
• Unexplained vaginal or anal bleeding
• Torn, stained, or bloody underclothing

Neglect by caregivers or self-neglect

• Unusual weight loss, malnutrition, dehydration
• Untreated physical problems, such as bed sores
• Unsanitary living conditions: dirt, bugs, soiled bedding and clothes
• Being left dirty or unbathed
• Unsuitable clothing or covering for the weather
• Unsafe living conditions (no heat or running water; faulty electrical wiring, other fire hazards)
• Desertion of the elder at a public place

Financial exploitation

• Significant withdrawals from the elder’s accounts
• Sudden changes in the elder’s financial condition
• Items or cash missing from the senior’s household
• Suspicious changes in wills, power of attorney, titles, and policies
• Addition of names to the senior’s signature card
• Unpaid bills or lack of medical care, although the elder has enough money to pay for them
• Financial activity the senior couldn’t have done, such as an ATM withdrawal when the account holder is bedridden
• Unnecessary services, goods, or subscriptions

Healthcare fraud and abuse

• Duplicate billings for the same medical service or device
• Evidence of overmedication or undermedication
• Evidence of inadequate care when bills are paid in full
• Problems with the care facility: poorly trained, poorly paid, or insufficient staff; crowding; inadequate responses to questions about care

Preventing Elder Abuse & Neglect

 Preventing the abuse of yourself

• Stay as active as you can - go on outings with friends; volunteer; join a gym; visit neighbours
• Maintain your friendships and maintain contact with loved ones
• Have any cheques that you may receive, i.e., pension cheques automatically deposited to your bank account
• Have bills, such as your telephone bill, automatically paid from your bank account
• Get legal advise when creating, and/or have a lawyer draw up a Power of Attorney for Property and/or Power of Attorney for Personal Care for you
• Only grant attorneyship (as in a Continuing Power of Attorney for Property and/or a Power of Attorney for Personal Care) to someone, or some people, that you know you can trust, and whom you know will respect your wishes
• Write into your Continuing Power of Attorney for Property instructions regarding when it is to come into effect
• Attend educational seminars/sessions that are being offered in your community regarding the abuse of older adults, your rights, senior's safety, etc.

Preventing the abuse of older adults

• Educate yourself about the abuse of older adults and the rights of older adults
• Become involved in your local abuse of older adults Committee or Network and encourage the development of educational sessions for older adults on their rights
• Learn about the rights of seniors and explain these rights to older adults that you know
• Listen to older adults - take time when speaking to them about their current situation and offer suggestions regarding how they might keep themselves, and their assets, safe
• Take an older friend out to lunch, visit them, call them to see how they are doing - in short, keep in touch older adult family members and friends

Hotlines

Senior Safety Line

Toll-free: 1-866-299-1011

Source

• Helpguide
• Ontario Network for Preventing Elder Abuse