The most common forms of elder abuse are physical abuse, emotional and psychological abuse, neglect, financial exploitation, and sexual abuse.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), around 1 in 6 people 60 years and older experienced some form of abuse in community settings during the past year.
Unfortunately, rates of elder abuse are high in nursing homes, with 2 in 3 staff reporting that they have committed abuse in the past year.
Even worse is that it’s predicted that elder abuse is only going to increase.
While we can’t prevent it from happening, we can certainly educate ourselves on the topic.
By knowing the most common forms of elder abuse and what to look for, and what to do, you can protect your loved ones.
What Are the Most Common Forms of Elder Abuse?
When someone says “abuse,” the first thing you probably think of is “physical.”
But there are other types of abuse, as you’ll see below.
Physical Abuse
We’ll start with physical abuse, which is one of the most recognizable forms of elder mistreatment.
This includes:
- Hitting
- Slapping
- Pushing
- Rough handling
- Using restraints improperly
As you can imagine, these things can lead to repeated injuries or sudden hospital visits.
Do remember that bruising can easily occur in elderly people, so you need to look for patterns.
Emotional and Psychological Abuse
Emotional and psychological abuse can be harder to detect since there may be no physical signs.
Examples include:
- Yelling
- Threats
- Intimidation
- Humiliation
- Deliberate isolation
- Manipulative statements
Over time, this mistreatment can erode confidence and cause severe psychological distress.
Neglect
Nursing home neglect is when caregivers fail to provide the elderly with essential daily care.
This includes:
- Meals
- Water
- Medications
- Hygiene assistance
- Mobility support
- Protect from hazards
This is a very serious issue since neglect can quickly become life-threatening.
So recognizing symptoms early is key to protecting your loved one.
Neglect also includes failing to monitor and treat medical needs.
Warning signs of serious neglect often show up as:
- · Untreated wounds (cuts, pressure sores, or bedsores that worsen over time)
- · Frequent or recurring infections
- · Urinary tract infections (UTIs), which can be a major red flag since dehydration, poor hygiene, and prolonged incontinence care can cause them
- · Skin breakdown from not being repositioned regularly
- · Injuries or infections that staff cannot clearly explain
These conditions do not develop overnight.
When they occur, they often indicate a long-term pattern of insufficient care.
Financial Exploitation
This is one of the fastest-growing types of elder abuse.
It can be as simple as staff taking valuables or charging unauthorized fees, or they may:
- Steal money
- Forge checks
- Misuse credit cards
- Coerce the senior into signing documents
Sexual Abuse
Sexual abuse can include:
- Unwanted sexual contact
- Exposure
- Sexualized behavior without the senior’s consent
What’s unfortunate is that not only can older adults suffer sexual abuse from staff members, but also from visitors and even other residents.
What Are Red Flags for Elder Abuse?
The biggest signs of elder abuse include:
- Unexplained injuries
- Weight loss
- Drastic changes in mood
- Poor hygiene
- Signs of dehydration
Physical red flags of neglect or mistreatment also include:
- Untreated wounds or bedsores
- Frequent infections, including UTIs
- Sudden changes in medical condition without explanation
- Re-hospitalizations due to preventable infections or sepsis
These issues often indicate that basic medical and hygiene needs are not being met.
Signs of emotional abuse or coercion include:
- Social withdrawal
- Fearfulness around certain people
- Sudden reluctance to discuss daily life
Financial red flags include:
- Unusual bank activity
- New caregivers controlling money access
- Unpaid bills
- Missing personal items
Take a look at the living environment too.
If there are strong odors or unsanitary conditions, then those are red flags.
And if your loved one says they’ve been left unattended for long periods, and the caregivers discourage visits, these are concerning signs too.
What to Do If You Suspect Elder Abuse
If you suspect there’s elder abuse going on at your loved one’s nursing home, then it’s important to act quickly and carefully.
The first thing you should do is document what you’ve observed, such as:
- Unexplained injuries
- Sudden behavioral changes
- Poor hygiene
- Financial irregularities
If possible, speak to your beloved senior privately.
Ask gentle and open-ended questions to get more information.
You should also voice your concerns directly to management.
But don’t rely on them solely for internal reporting.
Contact Adult Protective Services (APS) if you feel like your loved one is in immediate danger.
In addition, contact an attorney, as they can help protect your loved one’s rights.
More importantly, they can help guide you through the legal steps, which can lessen stress and anxiety.
For example, you can get guardianship, file restraining orders, or pursue compensation.
The key is early action.
That way, you’re practicing elder abuse prevention and ensuring that your beloved senior is safe and sound.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What Is the Trauma of Elder Abuse?
The trauma of elder abuse is both physical and emotional.
If an older adult has been harmed by a caregiver, family member, or trusted professional, they may experience lasting:
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Post-traumatic stress
- Chronic pain
- Mobility decline
- Worsened medical conditions
In addition, it’s common for seniors to feel isolated, unsafe, and ashamed, especially if they’ve been through emotional or financial abuse.
How To Tell if Someone Is Taking Advantage of an Elderly Person?
Signs that someone’s taking advantage of a senior will usually appear in their finances, behavior, or daily routines.
For example, it’s common for them to have unexplained bank withdrawals, as well as new “friends” who are influencing their life decisions.
Older adults may also seem anxious or confused about their accounts.
They may be unusually secretive as well, and this usually goes hand-in-hand with the caregiver limiting access to the senior or discouraging private conversations.
What Triggers an APS Investigation?
APS will open an investigation if there’s a credible report that a senior is experiencing abuse, neglect, or exploitation.
These reports can come from:
- Family members
- Neighbors
- Medical professionals
- Banks
- Mandated reporters
APS can also respond if someone notices that an elderly person has untreated medical issues or is in unsafe living conditions.
Do note that these reports don’t require proof; only reasonable suspicion is needed.
Look Out for Your Elderly Loved One
By now, you should know what the most common forms of elder abuse, and what signs to watch out for.
Even if the elder care community is one you’ve trusted for years, you never know when or if things will change.
So it’s important to be vigilant and have an open line of communication with your loved one if possible.
Should you notice anything that’s off, taking prompt action is crucial, as that’ll minimize the harm that comes to your beloved senior.
Do you need legal help for elder abuse?
Then contact us today.
Bailey Law Firm offers free confidential consultations, which are backed by our 10+ years of experience in litigation.
Searching for a Nursing Home Abuse Attorney in Arizona?
Choose Bailey Law Firm—your trusted advocates for victims of nursing home abuse and neglect. Our team of former prosecutors and seasoned trial attorneys is dedicated to protecting vulnerable loved ones and holding negligent facilities accountable. With $20M+ recovered for clients across Arizona, we bring strength, experience, and compassion to every case.
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