What Is Elder Abuse And How To Overcome Abuse

Elderly Abuse

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The growing epidemic of elder abuse

Elder abuse or mistreatment of older people goes back to ancient times. While other forms of violence dominate public health issues, elder abuse remains undercover. With the increase in the number of elder abuse cases, it has become a matter of grave public health concern. The growing violence against our elderly only points towards a complex network governing neglect, mistreatment, caregiver stress, family stress, and financial issues.
The majority of the cases begin at home. Whenever we hear about elder abuse, we all think of the mistreatment of our elderly at home care centers. However, this is not always the case, and our elderly often receive mistreatment and abuse in their own homes. Dealing with this can be overwhelming, and I can help you with caregiving consulting to avoid any further can cause strain on you as the family caregiver. Also, Here are some great books to help you now.

What is elder abuse?

Abuse can happen to anyone — no matter the person’s age, sex, race, religion, or ethnic or cultural background. As a result, hundreds of thousands of adults over 60 are abused, neglected, or financially exploited yearly. According to the CDC, elder abuse is an intentional act. Either by a caregiver or another person, which either creates or causes harm to an older adult. There are various forms of elder abuse, which include:

Physical abuse

When the caregiver administers physical force on the elderly, like slapping, tying them with ropes or chains, or beating them, all refer to physical abuse. Any act that physically harms the elderly, even for their benefit, is physical abuse.

Neglect

occurs when the caregiver does not respond to the older adult’s needs. This may include physical, emotional, and social conditions or withholding food, medications, or access to health care.

Abandonment

It is when you leave an older adult alone without planning for their care.

Sexual abuse

Sexual abuse, as the name suggests, includes any form of inappropriate touching to indulging in a sexual act forcefully with an elderly who cannot voice their protest against the awful action.

Emotional or psychological abuse

In this form of abuse, if the caregiver behaves or treats the elderly in a way, which is threatening and causes fear, pain, and emotional stress for the elderly, it is abusive.

Financial abuse

Financial abuse is when the caregiver or other family members take money from the elderly without permission. In other words, it is money taken under pretenses and can result in big fraud involving the property.

Signs of elder abuse

Often, elder abuse goes unnoticed due to ignorance or lack of knowledge. Therefore, the signs and conditions below may not always hint at elder abuse. These may also be an indication of some underlying medical conditions. However, those signs and symptoms which do not have a medical basis should form the source for further investigation. The following are some of the notable characteristics and symptoms indicating elder abuse:

Signs indicating physical abuse –

  • Grip marks or signs of bruises on arms, around the neck, or wrists.
  • Unexplained injuries
  • Rope marks on the wrists or ankles indicate physical abuse.
  • Indifferent attitude and making repeated statements about injuries

Signs indicating neglect or abandonment –

  • Becomes withdrawn or acts agitated or violent
  • Displays signs of trauma, like rocking back and forth
  • Develops bed sores or other preventable conditions
  • Lacks medical aids (glasses, walker, dentures, hearing aid, medications)
  • Has an eviction notice for unpaid rent, information of late mortgage, or home eviction
  • Has hazardous, unsafe, or unclean living conditions
  • Displays signs of insufficient care or unpaid bills despite adequate financial resources

Signs indicating emotional or psychological abuse –

  • The elderly become quiet and avoids social contact
  • He refuses to talk and becomes unresponsive
  • He prefers to stay alone and chooses isolation over social gatherings
  • Sudden changes in behavior

Signs indicating Sexual abuse –

  • Anal or vaginal bleeding without any medical cause
  • Frequent vaginal infections
  • Torn undergarments or bruised private parts

Signs of financial abuse –

  • Unexplained expenditure of a large sum of money
  • There are no records of the amount spent
  • Signatures on the checks do not match that of the elderly

Signs indicating neglect –

  • Poor basic hygiene of the elderly
  • Improper clothing according to weather changes
  • The home doesn’t have the necessities such as proper plumbing, electricity, etc.
  • The home is full of clutter and is dirty as well as untidy
  • Safety hazards are absent, and the home lacks basic maintenance facilities.
It is essential to know all the signs mentioned above indicate that the elderly are being mistreated and abused. Also, finding some solutions, or reporting the matter to centers that handle elder abuse cases, is the best you can do.

Steps to prevent elder abuse

Elder abuse is a grave problem, and taking steps to prevent the same is extremely necessary. We all have the right to live an abuse-free life, as do our elderly loved ones. Unfortunately, however, some older adults undergo abusive treatment almost daily. Here are some tips that can help you prevent elder abuse.
  • You must first carefully listen to the senior and their caregiver.
  • Intervene directly only when you suspect abuse of the older adult.
  • Look for warning signs that are indicative of abuse.
  • With permission, look at the bank account statement to check for financial fraud.
  • You also need to talk to the elderly and know the kind of behavior meted out to them.
  • If you are a family member or a close friend of the elderly, you can offer to stay with them for at least a good period so the caregiver can get a break.

Many local, state and national social service agencies can help with emotional, legal, and financial problems.

The Administration for Community Living has a National Center on Elder Abuse where you can learn about how to report abuse, where to get help, and state laws that deal with abuse and neglect. Go to https://ncea.acl.gov for more information. Or, call the Eldercare Locator on weekdays at 800-677-1116.

Most states require that doctors and lawyers report elder mistreatment. Family and friends can also say it. Do not wait. Help is available.

 

 

Conclusion

Often, elder abuse occurs due to extreme stress levels on the caregiver’s part. While this is not an excuse to abuse your elderly, taking specific steps to reduce caregiver stress would be a good idea. All caregivers should practice various stress reduction practices to keep the pressure at bay and prevent elder abuse. For more information on the subject, check out this site. Also, check out this past post on dysfunctional families.

Remember to care for yourself and keep your business going while caregiving. I’m here to assist you on this journey; schedule your planning session with me so we can look at how to keep your life and your business running smoothly.

 

 

 

 

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