Prevention & Warning Signs
There are a number of actions that can help prevent elder abuse. These actions, paired with knowing the warning signs, can make a positive change in the life of someone being abused.
Preventing Elder Abuse
- Break down isolation.
- Engage with your community.
- Keep active.
- Avoid living with someone who is known to be abusive or violent.
- Be wary of caregivers or friends needing financial help, or those who have issues with illicit drugs.
- Stay on top of your own financial affairs.
- Don’t allow a caretaker or family member to impulsively alter wills, or add their names to financial accounts or land titles.
- Be wary of solicitations from the telephone, internet, or mail.
Recognize the Warning Signs
Physical Abuse
- Unexplained signs of injury, such as bruises, welts, or scars, especially if they appear symmetrically on two sides 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 older adult alone.
Emotional Abuse
- Threatening, belittling, or controlling caregiver behavior.
- Behavior that mimics dementia, such as rocking, sucking, or mumbling to themselves.
Sexual Abuse
- Bruises around breasts or genitals.
- Unexplained vaginal or anal bleeding.
- Torn, stained, or bloody underclothing.
Elder Neglect or Self-Neglect
- Unusual weight loss, malnutrition, or 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).
Abandonment
- Desertion of the older adult at a public place.
Financial Exploitation
- Significant withdrawals from personal accounts.
- Sudden changes in financial condition.
- Items or cash missing from the household.
- Suspicious changes in wills, power of attorney, titles, and policies.
- Addition of names on a signature card.
- Financial activity the older adult couldn’t have done, such as an ATM withdrawal when the account holder is bedridden.
- Unnecessary services, goods, or subscriptions.