Elderly Abuse
In our societies, the elderly highly depends on others in various aspects of their daily life. This is because their bodies are weak to carry out their daily activities effectively. The tendency of relying on others for help and care results to abuse and neglect. Elderly Abuse is an intentional or non-accidental action that can cause physical and emotional harm to an old person (persons at age 60 and above). All the actions that involve mistreatment or abandonment of a person aged 60 years and above by a close relative or significant others can be referred to as Elderly Abuse.
Elderly Abuse can occur in many ways such as physical, sexual, psychological and financial abuse. These types of Elderly Abuse depend on the family, society, the physical and emotional status of the victim.
Physical Abuse and Its Signs
Any action that causes physical pain to an old person is regarded as Physical Abuse. Actions such as kicking, canning, and so on are common elements of Physical Abuse. Signs of Elderly Physical Abuse are:
- Both exterior and interior injuries e.g. bone dislocations and fractures.
- Marks of hitting and punching such as bruises, swelling.
- Human bites.
- Burns of hot water, cigarettes, and iron.
- Cuts of knife, razor and nails.
Sexual Abuse and its Signs
Forceful demands of sexual acts between any individual and an old person are termed as Sexual Abuse. Actions of Elderly sexual Abuse include rape, forcing an old person to dress and undress you, touching an old person’s private parts etc. signs of Elderly Sexual Abuse are:
- Traces of blood in the vaginal and rectal areas.
- Difficulty sitting and walking.
- Torn and bloody stain underclothes.
- Evidence of unexplained STDs.
Psychological (Emotional) Abuse and Its Signs
This is associated with all forms of actions that inflict emotional pain or those actions that hurt an older person emotionally. Yelling to an old person, ignoring their verbal demands, insulting them, controlling their movements and dictating on those to associate with them is regarded as Emotional Abuse. Signs of Elderly Emotional Abuse are:
- Withdraw and apathy.
- Difficulty in sleeping and eating.
- Feeling of nervousness when near the perpetrator.
- Social isolation.
Financial Abuse and Its Signs
This is a situation where an old person’s property and/or money are being misused. It involves using their ATMs to make withdrawals without their consent. Signs of Elderly Financial Abuse are:
- Disappearance of older person’s legal documents
- Missing of older person’s financial statements
- Withdrawals from the bank accounts without the permission
- Forging signature of the older person.
Neglect
This occurs when the caregiver intentionally or unintentionally fails to cater for needs are an older person. Giving inadequate food, clothing, and medication is regarded as Neglect. Signs of Elderly Neglected person are:
- Dirty clothes and unkempt hair.
- Weight loss.
- Rough and rash skin.
- Evidence of malnutrition signs.
- Ailments, injuries and sores that have not been taken care of.
- Lack of proper clothing with reference to the weather conditions.
Helping Elderly Abuse and Neglected
An elderly person in your locality is being subjected to abuse and neglect is the first step towards helping him/her. Once you suspect an old person is being abused, call 911 and report the incident. If you’re living near NCEA (National Center on Elder Abuse) you can report the incident direct to their offices. Reporting cases of abuse to the police are also encouraged.
