Warning Signs of Elderly Abuse

Unfortunately, elderly abuse happens too often to seniors today. Many times, this abuse can occur from a place seniors should be feeling most comfortable: their home. Seniors can be abused at a nursing home, hospital, or in their own house.

Often, this abuse goes unreported for a variety of reasons. Many seniors have deteriorating health that may cause them to be forgetful to the abuse. In fact, in 2009, a study revealed that nearly 50% of people with dementia experienced some form of abuse. They might even be nervous to report the abuse due to threats made from the abuser. Some seniors do not have a support system they can reach out to. Their family might live far away or they simply do not have any one at all to turn to.

There are a variety of ways the elderly can be abused. Of course, there is physical abuse such as causing physical harm or sexual abuse. Elderly can be neglected or mistreated when in the care of others. They may not get the nutrition or medication they require.

For families with an elderly relative or health care professionals that work closely with seniors; there are warning signs to look out for that may be signs of abuse.

  1. Signs of Physical Abuse. Look out for bruising or abrasions, broken bones, or burns. If you notice any injury, always ask how it happened. Seniors certainly are prone to injuries but that doesn’t mean they should be ignored. Be inquisitive about what happened. Does the story make sense? Does it seem too far-fetched? Ask their doctor or nurse about the injuries as well.
  2. Signs of Neglect. Be aware of what they look like and look around the home as well. Are they wearing dirty clothes? Do they look abnormally thin? Is the house a mess, when it normally isn’t? Be sure to talk to the senior about their medication to know that they are taking it.
  3. Signs of Emotional Abuse. Seniors that experience emotionally abuse will begin to withdraw socially. They may develop a nervous habit such as biting their nails. Watch their behavior around their caregiver. Do they seem fearful or tense around them? Most times, if you are in the presence of a caregiver and a senior, the caregiver will try to cover up their normal behavior by acting kind. This can often appear forced and you may notice the senior being confused by the change in behavior. Be on the look-out for anything unusual.
  4. Signs of Sexual Abuse. The signs for sexual abuse can be similar to physical or emotional abuse. You may notice some bruising in areas that are sexual in nature such as around the breasts or the genitals. Seniors that experience sexual abuse will also begin to withdraw or feel depressed.

Always be aware of the care being provided to the senior in your life. Take note of their living space and their behavior. Ask them questions. If you feel uncomfortable about a situation, say something. If you want more assistance or knowledge in elderly abuse, contact one of our Service Coordinators for guidance.

WP_Post Object
(
    [ID] => 919
    [post_author] => 8
    [post_date] => 2017-04-04 11:00:25
    [post_date_gmt] => 2017-04-04 15:00:25
    [post_content] => Unfortunately, elderly abuse happens too often to seniors today. Many times, this abuse can occur from a place seniors should be feeling most comfortable: their home. Seniors can be abused at a nursing home, hospital, or in their own house.



Often, this abuse goes unreported for a variety of reasons. Many seniors have deteriorating health that may cause them to be forgetful to the abuse. In fact, in 2009, a study revealed that nearly 50% of people with dementia experienced some form of abuse. They might even be nervous to report the abuse due to threats made from the abuser. Some seniors do not have a support system they can reach out to. Their family might live far away or they simply do not have any one at all to turn to.

There are a variety of ways the elderly can be abused. Of course, there is physical abuse such as causing physical harm or sexual abuse. Elderly can be neglected or mistreated when in the care of others. They may not get the nutrition or medication they require.

For families with an elderly relative or health care professionals that work closely with seniors; there are warning signs to look out for that may be signs of abuse.

    
 	
  1. Signs of Physical Abuse. Look out for bruising or abrasions, broken bones, or burns. If you notice any injury, always ask how it happened. Seniors certainly are prone to injuries but that doesn't mean they should be ignored. Be inquisitive about what happened. Does the story make sense? Does it seem too far-fetched? Ask their doctor or nurse about the injuries as well.
    2. 
 	
  2. Signs of Neglect. Be aware of what they look like and look around the home as well. Are they wearing dirty clothes? Do they look abnormally thin? Is the house a mess, when it normally isn't? Be sure to talk to the senior about their medication to know that they are taking it.
    3. 
 	
  3. Signs of Emotional Abuse. Seniors that experience emotionally abuse will begin to withdraw socially. They may develop a nervous habit such as biting their nails. Watch their behavior around their caregiver. Do they seem fearful or tense around them? Most times, if you are in the presence of a caregiver and a senior, the caregiver will try to cover up their normal behavior by acting kind. This can often appear forced and you may notice the senior being confused by the change in behavior. Be on the look-out for anything unusual.
    4. 
 	
  4. Signs of Sexual Abuse. The signs for sexual abuse can be similar to physical or emotional abuse. You may notice some bruising in areas that are sexual in nature such as around the breasts or the genitals. Seniors that experience sexual abuse will also begin to withdraw or feel depressed.
    5. 


Always be aware of the care being provided to the senior in your life. Take note of their living space and their behavior. Ask them questions. If you feel uncomfortable about a situation, say something. If you want more assistance or knowledge in elderly abuse, contact one of our Service Coordinators for guidance.
    [post_title] => Warning Signs of Elderly Abuse
    [post_excerpt] => 
    [post_status] => publish
    [comment_status] => closed
    [ping_status] => closed
    [post_password] => 
    [post_name] => warning-signs-of-elderly-abuse
    [to_ping] => 
    [pinged] => 
    [post_modified] => 2017-04-04 18:05:43
    [post_modified_gmt] => 2017-04-04 22:05:43
    [post_content_filtered] => 
    [post_parent] => 0
    [guid] => http://www.almahealth.com/?p=919
    [menu_order] => 0
    [post_type] => post
    [post_mime_type] => 
    [comment_count] => 0
    [filter] => raw
)