Elder and Dependent Adult Abuse

Question 1

Elder Abuse:

Answer 1

Mistreatment of older people and relatively dependent people, including physical battering, neglect, financial or other exploitation, and psychological harm. Abuse may be inflicted by the older person’s adult children or other relatives, legal custodians, or other care providers

Question 2

Physical Abuse and Neglect:

Answer 2

• The infliction of physical pain or injury, physical coercion, sexual abuse, and willful or unintended failure to provide needed food, clothing, and medications
• Bruises
• Welts
• Lacerations
• Punctures
• Burns
• Head injuries, missing patches of hair
• Unexplained genital infections or sexually transmitted diseases
• Weight loss
• Untreated medical conditions

Question 3

Psychological Abuse and Neglect:

Answer 3

• The infliction of mental anguish, name-calling, threats, and isolating and excluding from activities.
• Sleep disturbance
• Change in eating pattern
• Unexplained weight changes
• Depression and crying
• Low self-esteem
• Fearfulness or paranoia
• Confusion and disorientation
• Apathy and agitation

Question 4

Financial Abuse:

Answer 4

• The illegal or improper exploitation or use of funds or other resources
• Lack of food, complaints of hunger
• Inability to pay bills, utilities being turned off
• Over-involvement of family members in financial affairs
• Refusal to pay for services even when finances appear adequate

• Unexplained withdrawals from bank account or reports of being taken to bank
by caregiver