Breakdown of Cases of Abuse:

Neglect .............................%58.5

Physical ............................%15.7

Financial ............................%12.3

Emotional ...........................%7.3

Sexual ................................%0.04

 

66% abuse perpetrated by adult children or spouse

42% of murder victims over 60 were killed by their own offspring

24% of murder victims over 60 were killed by their spouses

 

Identify Situations Involving Elder Abuse

Physical Abuse

• Unexplained sign of injury such as bruises, welts, or scars, especially if they appear simmetrically on two sides of the body.

• Broken bones, sprains, or dislocations

• Report of drug overdose or apparent failure to take medication regularly (a prescription has more remaining that it should)

• Signs of being restrained, such as rope marks on wrists

• Caregiver's refusal to allow you to see the elder alone
   

Emotional Abuse

• Threatening, belittling, or controlling caregiver behavior that you witness

• Behavior from the elder that mimics dementia, such as rocking, sucking, or mumbling to oneself
   

Sexual Abuse

• Bruises around breasts or genitals

• Unexplained vaginal or anal bleeding

• Torn, stained, or bloody underclothing

• Unexplained venereal disease or genital infections

 

Neglect (by Caregivers or self-neglect)

• Unusual weight loss, malnutrition, dehydration

• Untreaded physical problems, such as bed sores

• Unsanitary living conditions: dirt, bugs, soiled bedding and clothes.

• Unsafe living conditions (no heat or running water; faulty electrical wiring, other fire hazards)

• Unsuitable clothing or covering for the weather

• Desertion of the elder at a public place

 

Financial Abuse

• Significant withdrawals from the elder's accounts

• Sudden changes in the elder's financial condition

• Items or cash missing from the senior's household

• Financial activity the senior couldn't have done, such as an ATM withdrawal when the account holder is bedridden

• Suspicious charges in the wills, power of attorney, titles and policies

• Addition of names to the senior's signature card

• Unpaid bills or lack of medical care, although the elder has enough money to pay for them

• Unnecessary services , goods, or subscriptions

 

 

Healthcare Fraud

• Duplicate billings for the same medical service or device

• Evidence of inadequate care when bills are paid in full

• Evidence of overmedication or undermedication

• Problems with the care facility: Poorly trained, poorly paid, or insufficient staff, crowding, inadequate responses to questions about care