Elder Abuse

Psychological or Emotional Abuse

This may take the form of verbal aggression, humiliation, isolation, intimidation, threats and inappropriate control of activities. In all cases, it diminishes the identity and self-worth of older people. It can also provoke intense fear, anxiety or debilitating stress.

It can include:

• premature removal of decision making ability
• withholding affection for manipulative purposes
• refusing access to grandchildren
• controlling activities
• treating them like children
• diminishing their self-worth
• intentionally creating fear or worry

Possible Indicators: Fear, anxiety, depression, withdrawal from activities and others, fearful of caregiver, caregiver speaks for older adult, isolation (ie. no phone, no outside contact).

Physical Abuse

Physical abuse is the use of physical force causing discomfort which may or may not result in bodily injury, physical pain, or impairment. Older persons who are subjected to rough handling or mistreatment are the victims of physical abuse.

It can include:

• slapping
• shaking
• pushing
• kicking
• punching
• striking with an object or weapon
• deliberate exposure to severe weather
• unnecessary physical or chemical restraint
• forced confinement
• failure to provide adequate health care
• physical pain to an adult

Medication Abuse: Over or under medication, administration of medications not required, or stealing medications.

Possible Indicators: Unexplained bruises, burns, bites, broken bones, dislocations, abrasions, missing hair. Untreated medical issues, history of

Sexual Abuse

All unwanted forms of sexual activity, behaviour, assault or harassment to older persons is elder sexual abuse.

It can include:

• verbal or suggestive behavior
• fondling
• sexual intercourse
• lack of personal privacy
• unnecessary help with dressing/hygiene
• unwanted nude photographs

Possible Indicators: Pain, bleeding or bruising in the genital or chest area, sexually transmitted diseases, recent depression, recent incontinence.

Neglect

This is the intentional or unintentional failure to provide for the needs of someone. Neglect can be active (intentional) or passive (unintentional) and has the effect of failing to provide older persons with basic necessities or care.

It can include:

• failure to provide a safe, warm and comfortable place to live
• failure to provide personal hygiene
• failure to provide proper food or clean clothing
• failure to provide aids for daily living, (hearing aids, walkers, canes, wheelchairs, etc.)
• failure to prevent physical harm
• failure to provide adequate and prescribed medications.

Active Neglect: Intentional failure of the caregiver to fulfill caregiving duties.

Passive Neglect: Unintentional failure of a caregiver to fulfill caregiving responsibilities due to lack of knowledge, skill, illness, infirmity, or lack of awareness of community supports and resources.

Self-Neglect: Involves cases where older adults, by choice or ignorance, live in ways that disregard their health or safety needs and can in some cases pose a hazard to others. An individual’s inability to provide for his or her own needs.

Possible Indicators: Inappropriate or dirty clothing, poor hygiene, dehydration, unsafe living conditions, lack of social contact, irregular medical appointments, lack of or for condition of dentures, glasses or hearing aid(s) or other aids to daily living that may be required.