What To Know About Elder Abuse
- Elder Love USA
- 2 days ago
- 6 min read
An older adult may not say they are being mistreated.
They may feel embarrassed, afraid, dependent on the person harming them, or unsure where to turn.
In some situations, they may not fully understand that what is happening is abuse.
That is why awareness matters.
Elder Abuse Is More Than Physical Harm
It can take many forms and It’s common for older adults to experience more than one type of abuse.
Physical abuse: Physical abuse can include assault, battery, unreasonable physical restraint, sexual abuse, prolonged deprivation of food or water, or the improper use of physical restraints, chemical restraints, or medication as punishment or for a purpose not authorized by a medical provider.
Psychological or mental abuse: Psychological or mental abuse can include intentionally causing fear, agitation, confusion, severe depression, or serious emotional distress. This may happen through threats, intimidation, harassment, deception, or false and misleading statements meant to frighten, confuse, or emotionally harm an elder or dependent adult.
Neglect: Neglect happens when a person responsible for the care or custody of an elder or dependent adult fails to provide the level of care that a reasonable person in a similar situation would provide. This may include failing to provide needed food, water, shelter, hygiene, medical care, supervision, or protection from health and safety hazards.
Isolation: Isolation can happen when someone deliberately prevents an elder or dependent adult from receiving mail, phone calls, visitors, or contact with family, friends, or other concerned people. It may also include falsely telling others that the person does not want contact, falsely imprisoning the person, or physically restraining them to prevent contact with others.
Financial abuse: Financial abuse can include taking, hiding, misusing, or wrongfully controlling an elder or dependent adult’s money, property, or assets. It can also include helping someone else do these things or using undue influence to pressure the person into financial decisions that benefit someone else.
Abandonment: Abandonment happens when someone who has care or custody of an elder or dependent adult deserts or willfully leaves them in a situation where a reasonable person would continue providing care and support.
Who May Be at Higher Risk?
Anyone can experience elder abuse. It can affect older adults across income levels, cultures, races, ethnicities, genders, and family situations.
Research has identified certain factors that may increase risk, including:
Being socially isolated or having limited support from family, friends, neighbors, or community
Feeling lonely or disconnected from others
Being physically frail or having difficulty with daily activities
Living with a disability
Living with cognitive impairment or dementia
Experiencing depression or other mental health concerns
Depending on someone else for care, including help with bathing, meals, transportation, medication, household tasks, or money management
Depending on someone else financially or having limited control over personal finances
Living in a crowded or complicated household, especially with multiple household members other than a spouse
Having a history of trauma, including interpersonal violence or domestic violence
Having lower income, poverty, or limited financial resources
Facing barriers to getting help, such as transportation challenges, language barriers, fear, shame, or not knowing where to turn
Being a woman, since some research suggests women may be at higher risk of elder abuse
Signs That Something May Be Wrong
There is no single pattern of elder abuse.
Sometimes the signs are physical.
Other times, the signs are emotional, financial, behavioral, or environmental.
Possible physical signs may include bruises, burns, cuts, broken bones, repeated injuries, pain when touched, weight loss, dehydration, malnutrition, bed sores, poor hygiene, or unsafe living conditions.
Behavioral signs may include fear, anxiety, depression, helplessness, withdrawal, agitation, anger, confusion, reluctance to speak openly, or sudden changes in personality.
Financial warning signs may include unpaid bills, missing belongings, large or unusual withdrawals, new accounts opened without clear explanation, unexplained purchases, sudden changes in banking, or someone new taking control of money, property, or documents.
Caregiver-related warning signs may include a caregiver who appears indifferent, angry, controlling, or unwilling to let the older adult speak for themselves. It may also be concerning if the caregiver restricts visitors, isolates the older adult, fails to provide needed help, or appears to be misusing substances.
Self-neglect may show up as dehydration, malnutrition, strong odors, excessive dirt, unsafe living conditions, inappropriate clothing for the weather, missed medications, medication misuse, or unexpected decline in health.
The Consequences Can Be Serious
Elder abuse can have serious and long-lasting consequences. It can affect an older adult’s physical health, emotional well-being, independence, safety, and ability to stay connected to others.
According to a report submitted to Congress, older adults who experienced abuse, even what was described as modest abuse, had a much higher risk of death compared with older adults who had not been abused.
The report also noted that elder abuse is linked to higher levels of psychological distress, emotional symptoms, and depression.
There can also be social consequences. An older adult may become more isolated because they withdraw from others, feel ashamed or afraid, or because the person causing harm limits their contact with family, friends, neighbors, or other sources of support.
Elder abuse can also affect physical health and health care use. Research summarized in the report found that victims of elder abuse were more likely to be admitted to the hospital.
Elder abuse has also been associated with increased emergency department use, higher risk of hospitalization, later disability, and increased risk of death.
In other words, elder abuse is not just a private family problem. It is a serious health, safety, and public health issue.
Where to Report Elder Abuse
If someone is in immediate danger, call 9-1-1.
For non-emergency concerns, you can contact your local law enforcement agency.
If You Are in California
California Adult Protective Services To report suspected abuse, neglect, self-neglect, or financial exploitation of an older adult or dependent adult in California, contact Adult Protective Services. Phone: 1-833-401-0832 When prompted, enter your five-digit ZIP code to be connected to Adult Protective Services in your county. Website: https://cdss.ca.gov/adult-protective-services
You can also find your county Adult Protective Services office here: https://www.cdss.ca.gov/Portals/9/APS/County_APD_Contacts.pdf
Local Law Enforcement Agency You can also contact your local law enforcement agency. California Law Enforcement Agency Directory:https://post.ca.gov/le-agencies
The California Department of Financial Protection and Innovation Accepts complaints related to financial products, services, and companies. File a complaint: https://dfpi.ca.gov/submit-a-complaint/Senior Website: https://dfpi.ca.gov/about/dfpi-divisions-and-offices/public-affairs/outreach/#seniors
The California Attorney General’s Division of Medi-Cal Fraud and Elder Abuse Accepts complaints involving suspected Medi-Cal fraud or elder abuse.
Complaint Hotline: 1-800-722-0432 Complaint Form: https://oag.ca.gov/dmfea/reporting
Elder Love USA We can help connect you with the appropriate organizations and resources.
Fax: 760-766-1440
Email: info@elderloveusa.org
National Resources
Eldercare Locator
A tool to help find Adult Protective Services and other aging resources in your community. Phone: 1-800-677-1116 Website: https://eldercare.acl.gov/home Email: eldercarelocator@n4a.org
The National Adult Protective Services Association also provides APS information for U.S. states and territories. Website: https://www.napsa-now.org/help-in-your-area
National Elder Fraud Hotline If you or someone you know may be a victim of elder fraud, scams, or financial exploitation, you can contact the National Elder Fraud Hotline. Phone: 1-833-372-8311 Hours: Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Eastern Time
National Center on Elder Abuse Phone: 1-855-500-3537 Assistance available in English, Spanish, Chinese, and Korean. Website: https://ncea.usc.edu/ Email: ncea-info@acl.hhs.gov
National Domestic Violence Hotline Phone: 1-800-799-7233 Language interpretation available. Website: https://www.thehotline.org/ You can also text START to 88788
Legal Services Corporation Funder for organizations providing civil legal aid to low-income Americans. Phone: 202-295-1500 Website: https://www.lsc.gov/about-lsc/what-legal-aid/i-need-legal-help
Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program
If the concern involves someone living in a nursing home, assisted living facility, board and care home, or similar long-term care setting.
The Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program advocates for residents of long-term care facilities, helps residents understand their rights, and can assist with complaints or concerns about care.
Consumer Voice has a state-by-state tool to help you find the Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program in your area. Website: https://theconsumervoice.org/get-help/
As the only nonprofit agency in California offering home care services, we are dedicated to providing compassionate affordable in-home care.
Our dedicated care professional can help you think through your options and explain what types of support may be appropriate based on your specific needs.
All caregivers undergo thorough background checks and training with certification.
Our rates are lower than other providers thanks to partnerships, donations, grants, and revenue from our cleaning program.
Our caregivers can assist with personal care, shopping, cooking, transportation, housekeeping, and case management.
We proudly serve Riverside County, CA, San Diego County, CA, San Bernardino County, CA, Orange County, CA, Imperial County, CA, and Phoenix, AZ. For more information, contact us at 888-336-8322 or send an email to info@elderloveusa.org
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