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Elder Abuse


The Basics


Written by the doctors and editors at UpToDate ‚  
What is elder abuse? " ” Elder abuse is any action taken by a person who has an ongoing relationship with an older person that harms the older person and is done with the intent to harm. ( "Older person "  in this case means anyone older than 60 or 65.) ‚  
Elder abuse can include: ‚  
  • Physical abuse, such as hitting, kicking, or pushing the older person
  • Sexual abuse, such as raping or forcing the older person to remove clothing or do any sex act
  • Psychological abuse, such as insulting or threatening the older person
  • Illegal or inappropriate use of the older persons money or property
  • Abandonment, meaning the older person is left alone without care
  • Neglect, meaning that the older person does not get the care he or she needs

Neglect might be the most complicated item on this list, because it can involve self-neglect. Self-neglect is when the older person does not care for him- or herself properly. Neglect, in general, can mean that the older person: ‚  
  • Does not get all the food and water he or she needs; or
  • Does not get all the medicines he or she needs, or gets them at the wrong times or in the wrong doses; or
  • Does not get bathed or dressed properly, or is left with dirty clothes or untreated sores or wounds; or
  • Is forced to live in dirty conditions or in a home that is too hot or too cold.

Who is at risk for elder abuse? " ” Elder abuse is most common among older people who: ‚  
  • Are women
  • Are older than 80
  • Need help caring for themselves
  • Have trouble thinking clearly
  • Are depressed
  • Had a broken hip at some point
  • Had a stroke at some point
  • Do not have a lot of social connections
  • Are poor or have trouble paying bills
  • Have family members who are ill or who recently died, or whose family has stress for other reasons
  • Are being cared for by family members who
    • Have problems with drugs or alcohol
    • Are depressed, violent, or antisocial (which means they do not relate well to other people)
    • Rely on the older person for money or financial support

How can you tell if an older person is being abused? " ” Older people who are being abused can have: ‚  
  • Cuts, scrapes, bruises, burns, and broken bones
  • Weight loss or obvious lack of food
  • Dehydration, meaning the older person is not getting enough water or fluids
  • Pain, soreness, bruising, or bleeding in the anal or genital area
  • Infections that are spread through sex
  • "Pressure sores "  that form on the skin when a person sits or lies in 1 position for too long

Some of these signs can occur in older people who are not being abused, but they are more likely to happen in people who are not being cared for the right way. ‚  
Who usually does the abusing? " ” In 9 out of 10 cases, the abuser is a family member " ”usually the older person's husband, wife, or adult child. In some cases, the abuser is someone who cares for the older person in a hospital, nursing home, or other setting. ‚  
Is there anything I can do to prevent or stop the abuse? " ” Yes. If you have a loved one who is older, the most important thing to do is to keep in touch with him or her. If you suspect any problems, ask him or her about it, or bring it up with his or her doctor. ‚  
You can also call Adult Protective Services in your state. To find the phone number for Adult Protective Services, call directory assistance (4-1-1) and ask for the Department of Social Services or Aging Services. ‚  
You can also check online at www.eldercare.gov and search by "elder abuse. "  ‚  
All topics are updated as new evidence becomes available and our peer review process is complete. ‚  
This topic retrieved from UpToDate on: Nov 04, 2014. ‚  
Topic 16418 Version 5.0 ‚  
Release: 22.8 - C22.206 ‚  
‚ © 2014 UpToDate, Inc. All rights reserved. ‚  

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This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you.The use of UpToDate content is governed by the UpToDate Terms of Use. ‚ ©2014 UpToDate, Inc. All rights reserved. ‚  

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