By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
  • Health
    • Mental Health
    Health
    Healthcare organizations are operating on slimmer profit margins than ever. One report in August showed that they are even lower than the beginning of the…
    Show More
    Top News
    An Expert’s Guide To Building and Improving Endurance
    June 30, 2022
    medical assistants
    What Do Medical Assistants Do On a Day to Day Basis?
    April 5, 2022
    superfoods to help with prostate health
    10 Healthy Foods That Can Help Protect Your Prostate
    August 29, 2022
    Latest News
    Why Custom Telemedicine Apps Outperform Off‑the‑Shelf Solutions
    July 20, 2025
    How Probate Planning Shapes the Future of Your Estate and Family Care
    July 17, 2025
    Beyond Nutrition: Everyday Foods That Support Whole-Body Health
    June 15, 2025
    The Wide-Ranging Benefits of Magnesium Supplements
    June 11, 2025
  • Policy and Law
    • Global Healthcare
    • Medical Ethics
    Policy and Law
    Get the latest updates about Insurance policies and Laws in the Healthcare industry for different geographical locations.
    Show More
    Top News
    How Powerful Patients Save the System Money
    November 11, 2015
    How Financial Barriers are Slowing Down Telehealth Adoption
    September 26, 2017
    No Resource Constraints in Dialysis: a Blessing and a Curse
    May 4, 2011
    Latest News
    How IT and Marketing Teams Can Collaborate to Protect Patient Trust
    July 17, 2025
    How Health Choices and Legal Actions Intersect After an Injury
    July 17, 2025
    How communities and healthcare providers can address slip and fall injuries with legal awareness
    July 17, 2025
    Let Your Lawyer Handle the Work Before You Pay Medical Costs
    July 6, 2025
  • Medical Innovations
  • News
  • Wellness
  • Tech
Search
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Reading: Elder Abuse: Types of Maltreatment and Warning Signs
Share
Notification Show More
Font ResizerAa
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
Font ResizerAa
Search
Follow US
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Health Works Collective > Specialties > Geriatrics > Elder Abuse: Types of Maltreatment and Warning Signs
Geriatrics

Elder Abuse: Types of Maltreatment and Warning Signs

eCaring
eCaring
Share
5 Min Read
SHARE

elder abuseElder abuse, or any intentional or negligent act that causes harm or loss to an older person, is a significant health problem in the United States.

elder abuseElder abuse, or any intentional or negligent act that causes harm or loss to an older person, is a significant health problem in the United States.

Although estimates vary, it is believed that between 4% and 6% of America’s older adults are abused each year – and this number is growing.  According to the National Center on Elder Abuse, close to 6 million elderly abuse cases were reported in 2010 suggesting 9.5% of older adults were victims of violence.

Who is at risk?

More Read

anal fissure management and treatment
A Quick Guide to Managing and Relieving Anal Fissures
Fight Senior Hunger Thanksgiving 2012
Ageism In America: Questions & Answers
The Granny Pod – Good Idea or Bad
Psychologically Vulnerable Seniors More Vulnerable to Financial Exploitation

Elder abuse affects seniors of regardless of gender, ethnic background, and socioeconomic status. Statistics show, however, that the majority of victims (67.3%) are women and Caucasian (66.4%). Nearly 30% of victims are African American or Hispanic.

Unfortunately, due to under-reporting and the lack of a uniform national reporting system, the scope of the problem is likely underestimated. In many cases, victims may be afraid or physically unable to tell the authorities, family, friends, or other caregivers about maltreatment. 

What types of elder abuse exist?

There are six major categories of elder abuse:

1. Physical abuse is inflicting or threatening to inflict the use of physical force that may result in bodily injury, physical pain, or impairment.  Physical abuse includes acts such as hitting, beating, pushing, and slapping the person. Inappropriate use of drugs and physical restraints and force-feeding are also examples of physical abuse. Physical abuse accounts for over 15% of elder abuse cases.

Warning signs: bruises, black eyes, broken bones, opens wounds and cuts, internal bleeding, a sudden change of behavior in the elder, caregiver’s refusal to allow lone visitors.

2. Emotional or psychological abuse is defined as the infliction of anguish, pain, or distress through verbal or non-verbal acts, including but not limited to insults, threats, humiliation, and harassment. Treating the older person like an infant and enforced social isolation are common examples of emotional and psychological elder abuse.

Warning signs: Expressions of agitation and withdrawal from the older person, unusual behavior such as sucking or rocking typically attributed to dementia.

3. Sexual abuse includes non-consensual sexual contact of any kind with a vulnerable elderly person. All types of sexual assault and battery as well as acts such as unwanted touching, rape, and coerced nudity are considered sexual abuse.

Warning signs: Bruises around breasts and genitals, unexplained sexual transmitted diseases or bleeding, torn clothing

4. Financial/material exploitation is defined as the Illegal or improper use of a senior’s funds, property, or assets. Acts of financial abuse include using the elder’s checks without permission, stealing money, coercing an older person to sign contracts or a will, and improper use of guardianship or power of attorney. 

Warning signs: unexplained withdrawals of large sums of money from bank accounts, abrupt changes in a will, unexplained bank transfers, the inclusion of additional names of signature cards.

5. Neglect accounts for the majority (58%) of elder abuse cases. Neglect involves refusal or failure by caretakers to fulfill obligation and duties related to the care and protection of an elderly person. This may include the failure to provide for basic necessities such as food, shelter, clothing, personal hygiene, safety, and medication, but may also involve the failure of a caregiver’s fiduciary responsibilities to properly manage money or pay for services such as home care. Self neglect is characterized as the behavior of an elderly person to provide for his or her own essential needs.

Warning signs: Dehydration, malnutrition, bed sores, hazardous or unsanitary living conditions (eg. Soiled bedding, no running water), unattended to health problems

6. Abandonment occurs when the elderly person is deserted by a caregiver or the person with physical custody of the elder.

Warning signs: leaving the older adult at the hospital or in a public location such as a shopping center.

Weigh in: What can be done to prevent elder abuse? How can we be better advocates for victims of elder abuse?

 

TAGGED:elder abuse
Share This Article
Facebook Copy Link Print
Share

Stay Connected

1.5kFollowersLike
4.5kFollowersFollow
2.8kFollowersPin
136kSubscribersSubscribe

Latest News

holistic dental
Holistic Dentist Services Are Natural and Safe
Dental health Specialties
July 28, 2025
botox certification
Help Improve People’s Skin Health Via Botox Certification
Skin Specialties
July 22, 2025
Telemedicine Apps
Why Custom Telemedicine Apps Outperform Off‑the‑Shelf Solutions
Health
July 20, 2025
Grounded Healing: A Natural Ally for Sustainable Healthcare Systems
How IT and Marketing Teams Can Collaborate to Protect Patient Trust
Global Healthcare Policy & Law
July 17, 2025

You Might also Like

Geriatrics

Oh, My Aching Joints

July 22, 2012

101-Year-Old Paraglider

July 26, 2012

Lowering Risk of Alzheimer’s With Exercise, Diet and Mind Activities: An Exclusive Interview

June 28, 2012

Caremerge Nudges Long-Term Care Coordination Into the Mobile Health Era

July 13, 2013
Subscribe
Subscribe to our newsletter to get our newest articles instantly!
Follow US
© 2008-2025 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?