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Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is elder abuse?
2. What are some of the warning signs of physical abuse?
3. What are some of the warning signs of emotional abuse?
4. What are some of the warning signs of financial abuse?
5. What are some of the warning signs of neglect?
6. How can I tell if an elder is at risk for abuse?
7. Who is Particularly Vulnerable?
8. "Red Flags" of Elder Financial Abuse?
9. What Can You do to Protect Your Loved One From Elder Abuse?
10. What should I do if I suspect abuse?
1. What is elder abuse?
- "Elder" means anyone 65 years of age or older.
- "Abuse of an elder" includes physical abuse, neglect, intimidation, fiduciary abuse, abandonment, isolation, or other treatment with resulting physical harm or pain or mental suffering, or the deprivation by a care custodian of goods or services which are necessary to avoid physical harm or mental suffering.
- “Fiduciary abuse”: A situation in which any person who has the care or custody of, or who stands in a position of trust to an elder misappropriates the elder’s money or property, for a use or purpose which violates the fiduciary’s position of trust.
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2. What are some of the warning signs of physical abuse?
- Frequent trips to the emergency room
- Injuries that don’t match up with medical history
- Over-medication (drowsiness, confusion)
- Under-medication (in pain)
- Dirty or torn clothing
- Signs of any unwanted sexual activity
3. What are some of the warning signs of emotional abuse?
- Verbal threats, accusations, and intimidation
- Isolation or confinement
- Behavior shows serious emotional distress
- Conflicting accounts of incidents between elder and caregiver
4. What are some of the warning signs of financial abuse?
- Sudden bank account closing or withdrawals
- A new power of attorney given when elder is already incapacitated
- Suspicious activity on credit cards
- Abrupt changes in the will
- Change in caregiver’s financial status
- Bouncing checks
- Checks being written "for cash" in large amounts
- Sudden transfer of property
- "Life-long care" agreement in exchange for property/accounts
5. What are some of the warning signs of neglect?
- Isolation
- Lack of necessary equipment (such as walker, hearing aid, glasses, dentures)
- Lack of heat, food, or water
- Unsafe or unsanitary conditions in the home
- Dirty or torn clothing
- Untreated medical conditions
- Unexplained weight loss
6. How can I tell if an elder is at risk for abuse?
- Deteriorating living conditions
- Unkempt appearance, poor hygiene
- Isolation
- Mail or newspapers piling up
- Unexplained bruising
7. Who is Particularly Vulnerable?
- Elders with No Close Family [by Distance or Relationship]
- Elders with a Lack of Social Connectedness/Loneliness
- Moderately Wealthy Elders
- Elders with Mental/Physical Weakness
8. "Red Flags" of Elder Financial Abuse?
- Control by One Person
- Isolation of Elder
- Secrecy\Difficulty for the family to obtain information
- Unusual transactions or expenditures
- Unusual explanations by the elder or caregiver
- Difficulty seeing the elder alone
- Changes in estate plan
- Change of the elder’s doctor, attorney, accountant or other professional advisers
- The caregiver starts a ‘Campaign of False Information’ about the loved ones "they want to put you into a home"; "they’re only after your money"
9. What Can You do to Protect Your Loved One From Elder Abuse?
- Be alert for “Red Flags”
- Make Appropriate Use of Durable Powers of Attorney by Family Members to enable access to financial information, if needed
- Trust your instincts: if you think something is amiss, it probably is
- Consult local elder care agencies or Adult Protective Services if you suspect elder abuse
- Consult with a lawyer experienced in elder abuse law if you suspect elder abuse
10. What should I do if I suspect abuse?
- Report any suspected abuse to your local adult protective services or law enforcement.
- What should I do if I suspect abuse in a long-term care facility?
- Report any suspected abuse to your local ombudsman program. All reports are confidential.
