5 Things You Need to Know About Abuse and The Elderly

1. There are Many Different Kinds of Abuse

The elderly can be abused in different ways. Elder abuse can be physical, emotional, sexual, financial or in the form of neglect. Some elderly people abuse themselves by refusing to eat or take their medication. Each type of abuse may affect an elderly person differently. Unfortunately, elder abuse often goes unnoticed and unreported.

2. It Can be Difficult to Identify Elder Abuse

The symptoms of elder abuse are sometimes confused with normal signs of aging. The common symptoms of physical abuse are bruises, welts, or repeated injuries, which can also be caused by falls. Signs of psychological abuse are often confused with dementia. Even though an elderly person may be afraid to discuss injuries or odd behavior, it is important to find out how he is getting hurt to make sure he isn't being abused.

3. Elder Abuse Happens at Home

The majority of elder abuse occurs at home. Elderly people who live at home but need assistance rely heavily on caregivers or family members to take care of them. For various reasons, the person they depend on for care at home abuses them. There usually isn't anyone else there to stop it or report it. Elder abuse can also occur in a nursing home or hospital when the staff abuses the residents. This type of elder abuse is more commonly talked about in the news, but it occurs far less than elder abuse at home.

4. Caregiver Stress Can Lead to Elder Abuse

Caring for an elderly person can be a very draining and stressful experience. Some caregivers may find themselves lashing out at an elderly person. This is particularly common when family members untrained in care-giving attempt to care for an elderly person who demands a lot of attention. It is important for caregivers to care for themselves and enlist the help of others if they start feeling anger or resentment toward elderly person in their care. There are therapists who specialize in helping caregivers learn different ways to cope with caring for an elder.

5. How to Report Elder Abuse

An elderly person can report abuse to a physician or trusted friend. Unfortunately, many elderly people are afraid to report their abuse because they are embarrassed or they depend on their abuser for care. Most states have a designated agency who will investigate allegations of elder abuse. The National Center on Elder Abuse has a web site with a list of phone numbers to call if you suspect elder abuse. If you feel an elderly person is in immediate danger, you can contact the police.