Elder abuse is a critical problem facing aging adults in our care and communities. For mandated reporters of elder abuse with a legal duty to recognize and report elder abuse, understanding elder abuse is essential to protecting aging and dependent adults.
What Is Elder Abuse?
Table of Contents
- Elder Abuse Definition
- The Scope Of Elder Abuse
- World Elder Abuse Awareness Day Is June 15th
- Understanding The Signs Of Elder Abuse
- How To Report Elderly Abuse
- Special Populations At Higher Risk
- Essential Resources For Reporting Elder Abuse
Elder Abuse Definition
Elder abuse is an intentional or negligent act by any person that causes harm or a serious risk of harm to an older adult. Source: U.S. Department of Justice.
The definition covers five types of elder abuse:
- Physical abuse
- Sexual abuse
- Psychological abuse
- Financial exploitation
- Neglect, self-neglect, and abandonment
The definition of an elder varies depending on state or jurisdiction, but generally refers to a person who is 60 years of age or older.
In plain language, elder abuse is when someone harms, exploits, or puts an older adult in danger, either on purpose or by not taking adequate care of them.
The Scope Of Elder Abuse
One in six people aged 60 and older experienced some form of elder abuse in the last year, says the World Health Organization (WHO).
While this number is staggering in its enormity, there’s a chance that even more victims go unnoticed or unreported each year.
A systematic review revealed that the prevalence of elder abuse varied significantly, ranging from 2.2% to 79.7% across five continents.
There are a number of reasons why elder abuse goes unreported, including isolation, the inability of the victim to self-report, or a reluctance to report when the perpetrator is a trusted caregiver or loved one.
When a perpetrator victimizes an aging adult, the consequences can be serious. Victims of elder abuse can have serious physical, mental, and financial effects, including depression, cognitive decline, placement in care facilities, financial devastation, and even premature mortality.
While it is difficult to fully account for all instances of elder abuse, it is clear that aging adults are at risk of various types of abuse, that the abuse often goes unreported, and that the repercussions of elder abuse can be gravely serious.
World Elder Abuse Awareness Day Is June 15th
World Elder Abuse Awareness Day was launched on June 15, 2006 by the International Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse and the World Health Organization at the United Nations as an opportunity for communities around the world to promote a better understanding of abuse and neglect of older persons.
Understanding The Signs Of Elder Abuse
Because elder abuse is vastly underreported and many victims are hesitant to self-report, it becomes even more critical for mandated reporters to understand the signs and red flags that indicate abuse is happening.
The FBI has released the following red flags of elder abuse:
Physical & Sexual Abuse Red Flags
- Bruises, black eyes, welts, lacerations, or rope marks
- Bone fractures, broken bones, or skull fractures
- Open wounds, cuts, punctures, and untreated injuries in various stages of healing
- Sprains, dislocations, or internal injuries/bleeding
- Broken eyeglasses/frames, physical signs of being subjected to punishment, or signs of being restrained
- Laboratory findings of medication overdose or underutilization of prescribed drugs
- An older adult’s sudden change in behavior
- The caregiver’s refusal to allow visitors to see or speak to an older adult alone
- An older adult’s report of being hit, slapped, kicked, or mistreated
- Bruises around the breasts or genital area
- Unexplained venereal disease or genital infections
- Unexplained vaginal or anal bleeding
- Changes in an older adult’s demeanor, such as showing fear or becoming withdrawn when a specific person is around
- Evidence of pornographic material being shown to an older adult with diminished capacity
- Blood found on sheets, linens, or an older adult’s clothing
- An older adult’s report of being sexually assaulted or raped
Emotional & Psychological Abuse Red Flags
- Being emotionally upset or agitated
- Being extremely withdrawn, non-communicative, or non-responsive
- Unusual behavior, such as sucking, biting, rocking
- Witnessing a caregiver controlling or isolating an older adult
- Exhibiting a change in sleeping patterns or eating habits
- Personality changes, such as apologizing excessively
- Depression or anxiety
- An older adult’s report of being verbally or emotionally mistreated
Financial Exploitation Red Flags
- Sudden changes in bank accounts or banking practices, including an unexplained withdrawal of large sums of money by a person accompanying the older adult
- The inclusion of additional names on an older adult’s bank signature card
- Unauthorized withdrawal of the older adult’s funds using their ATM card
- Abrupt changes in a will or other financial documents
- Unexplained disappearance of funds or valuable possessions
- Provision of substandard care or bills left unpaid despite the availability of adequate financial resources
- Discovery of a forged signature for financial transactions or for the titles of the older adult’s possessions
- Sudden appearance of previously uninvolved relatives claiming their rights to an older adult’s property or possessions
- Unexplained sudden transfer of assets to a family member or someone outside the family
- The provision of services that are not necessary
- An older adult’s report of financial exploitation
- Unexplained credit card charges
Neglect or Abandonment Red Flags
- Dehydration, malnutrition, untreated bed sores, and poor personal hygiene
- Unattended or untreated health problems
- Hazardous or unsafe living conditions/arrangements (e.g., improper wiring, no heat, or no running water)
- Unsanitary and unclean living conditions (e.g., dirt, fleas, lice on person, soiled bedding, fecal/urine smell, inadequate clothing)
- The desertion of an older adult at a hospital, a nursing facility, or other similar institution, or a shopping center or other public location
- An older adult’s report of being neglected or abandoned
- Lack of food in the refrigerator or cupboards
How To Report Elderly Abuse
Mandatory reporting of elder abuse is typically designated by state law for certain professionals, which often include medical professionals, law enforcement, clergy, counselors, and caregivers. Find out who is required to report elder abuse.
Many states are often designating financial professionals and institutions as mandated reporters to further protect against the rising threat of senior financial abuse.
Even if you are not required to do so by law, most states will allow anyone, mandated or not, to report suspected elder abuse.
In general, you will make a phone report immediately to one or more of the following:
Report to Adult Protective Services (APS)
Call your local APS to make a report of abuse, neglect, or exploitation. Contact APS in the state or territory where the elder or vulnerable adult resides to make a report. You can find an APS directory from the National Adult Protective Services Association. Select your state or territory from the dropdown to get APS help in your area.
Report to Local Law Enforcement
If the elderly adult is in a life-threatening situation, you should call 911 for a law enforcement response. Law enforcement can offer 24-hour responses, ensure immediate safety, and investigate/ apprehend perpetrators.
Your state’s reporting laws may require a report to local law enforcement in non-emergency situations, as well.
Report to Long-Term Care Ombudsman
Long-Term Care Ombudsman (LTCO) Program protects the rights and welfare of older adults in long-term care facilities, like nursing homes and assisted living facilities. LTCO programs are responsible for investigating reports of suspected elder abuse (or dependent adult abuse) and advocating for their clients.
If the suspected abuse has occurred in a long-term care facility, like a nursing home, adult residential care facility, or other adult services/ adult day care program, LTCO should receive a report.
How to find the local Long-Term Care Ombudsman in every state.
It is important to note that cross-reporting to APS or the LTC Ombudsman Program is not a substitute for law enforcement taking a crime report. If you identify a situation of elder or dependent adult abuse that rises to the level of a crime, make a report to local law enforcement and cross-report the situation to APS or LTCOP.
Your state may also require a written report following the submission of an oral report. Some states have paper forms that need to be submitted while others have online methods of accepting reports.
Special Populations At Higher Risk
Some populations of aging or dependent adults are at higher risk for abuse. These include:
- Rural Seniors: Living in rural areas can increase isolation and limit service access, increasing the risk of abuse.
- LGBTQ+ Elders: In a study of LGBTQ+ people age 60 and older, two-thirds had experienced some form of verbal abuse because of their sexual orientation, while 29% had been threatened with violence.
- Cognitively Impaired & Disabled Adults: Studies have shown that more than half of adults with dementia have experienced abuse or neglect.
- Cultural & Language Barriers: Immigrant elders may experience greater rates of abuse because of language barriers, isolation, and financial instability.
Essential Resources For Reporting Elder Abuse
Recognizing and reporting elder abuse is critical to protecting adults as they age. The following resources can help mandatory reporters and concerned community members protect aging and dependent adults.
- Mandated Reporter Training: Find state-specific and profession-specific training and reporting information
- U.S. Department of Justice: Find elder justice neighborhood resources and programs
- National Adult Protective Services Association: Find local APS contact information
Use the state-by-state database at MandatedReporter.com to find more information about reporting elder abuse, including a list of professionals mandated to report, training requirements, and reporting requirements.
