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Protecting Your Loved One from Elderly Abuse

There are lots of elderly adults that have been wrongfully abused in their own homes, in the homes of family members, and even in adult care facilities. If you believe that your loved one has been a victim of abuse whether physical, emotional, or financial, you need to say something. This article will provide a list of warning signs, risk factors, and what you can do to get help.

What is Elderly Abuse?

Unfortunately, as people age, they are no longer able to defend themselves against abuse. They become physically frail, their thinking and memory are not the same and thus it can be hard for them to tell that abuse is happening and even more difficult to express this abuse to others. Every year, millions of cases of elderly abuse go unreported.

“When I give you my heart I do not give you the authority to rule it, abuse it, or use it. I give it to you because I trust you enough to take great care of it.” – Unknown quotes

Different Types of Elderly Abuse

You might think that abuse is only physical, but there are other ways in which someone can be abused:

•    Physical Abuse – this is the intentional use of physical force against an elderly person. This includes physical actions such as hitting but also includes inappropriate use of medication, restraints, or confinement.
•    Emotional Abuse – This is when people speak in a negative way that psychological affects the elderly.
•    Sexual Abuse – This is sexual contact is made with a person without their consent. While it can mean sexual touch or intercourse, this can also include showing pornography or forcing the senior to get undressed.
•    Neglect – This happens when elderly are in a facility or in the homes of a family member. This is when the caretaker intentionally or unintentionally does not properly care for the elderly.
•    Financial Exploitation – This can happen at home from a scammer or with a caretaker. It involves utilizing the property or financial funds belonging to the elderly person without their consent. Many times there are reports of:
o    Misuse of personal checks, credit cards, or banking accounts
o    Stolen money, household items, or mailed checks
o    Forging signatures
o    Identity theft
o    Fake charities asking for donations
o    Investment fraud
•    Healthcare Fraud – This happens with healthcare providers, doctors, and nurses who are unethical. They are known to carry out acts of abuse such as:
o    Charging for healthcare that was not provided
o    Overcharging for services rendered
o    Over or under medicating
o    Recommending the wrong remedies for illnesses
o    Medicaid fraud

 

 

Signs of Elderly Abuse

It can be difficult to decipher whether or not your loved one is being abused. Most assume that their loved ones are suffering from dementia or take the excuse that is provided by their caretaker. While the signs of elderly abuse are similar to memory loss, it is important that you look into it and don’t take the word of the caretakers. Below are some physical and emotional signs that something is wrong:

•    Unexplained physical scars or bruises
•    Broken bones, dislocations, or sprains
•    Failure to take medication regularly or overdose (when the prescription bottle has more or less than it should)
•    Rope marks around the wrists as a sign of restraint
•    Controlling behavior from the caregiver
•    Bruises around sexual areas
•    Genital infections
•    Vaginal or anal bleeding
•    Torn undergarments
•    Weight loss, dehydration
•    Bed sores
•    Dirty linens, bugs, or soiled clothing
•    Significant money missing from the elderly account
•    Instant changes in their financial status
•    Cash or items missing from the home
•    Changes in wills without notice
•    Unpaid bills
•    Duplicate billing

Risk Factors of Elderly Abuse

When someone in the family decides to care for an elderly in their family, the idea might seem great in the beginning. However, as their health deteriorates and their needs increase, there can be a lot of stress involved. When a nonprofessional caretaker is under a lot of stress, it can lead to elder abuse. While this is more common for nonprofessionals, there are healthcare providers that can also be put under a lot of stress that resorts to abuse. Significant risk factors as it pertains to the caregiver are:

•    The inability to deal with stress
•    Substance abuse
•    Depression
•    Feelings of lack of support to assist in caring for their loved one

While nothing should justify the actions of a caregiver who abuses the elderly, there are factors that make the chances higher that your loved one could be victim of abuse. These influences include:

•    Intense dementia or severe illness
•    Social isolation – meaning the caretaker and the elderly are left alone for long periods of time
•    The elder’s likelihood of being physically violent or verbally abusive themselves.

 

 

Preventing Elder Abuse

There are three important things you will need to do in order to prevent elder abuse from happening to someone you love. You will need to listen to your loved ones when they talk to you, intervene the moment you suspect something wrong, and teach others how to recognize when your loved one is in need of help. If you are a caretaker, here are some things you can do to prevent elder abuse:

•    Get help from others so you can take a break
•    Consider enrolling your loved one in a adult care facility
•    Stay healthy
•    Learn to reduce stress properly
•    Get counseling if feeling depressed or for assistance with drug and alcohol use

If you’re a family member or friend who is concerned, you can:

•    Pay attention to the warning signs and report it
•    Look at their medications to ensure they’re taking the right amount
•    Review their financial accounts from time to time
•    Visit and call as often as you can
•    If possible, volunteer to stay and help out from time to time

If you’re an elder looking for protection you can:

•    Get help from a family member or financial advisor for your finances
•    Stay in touch with your family constantly
•    Speak up the moment you sense something is wrong

Your loved one deserves to be cared for properly. Whether in the home, with another relative, or in an adult daycare facility, it is important that you check up on them to ensure their safety. Remember, silence will never resolve the problem. Instead, speak up and be heard.

Resources

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