Elderwerks Senior Resource Directory 2025/2026

SIGNS OF ELDER ABUSE

• Sexual abuse, like physical abuse, can be detected by visible signs on the body, especially around the breasts or genital area. Other signs include inexplicable infections, bleeding, and torn underclothing. • Neglect is a type of abuse in that it can be inflicted either by the caregiver or oneself. Signs of neglect include malnutrition, weight loss and dehydration, poor hygiene, sunken eyes and/or cheeks, poor skin condition, dirty, in disarray, wearing soiled clothes or clothes inappropriate for the season, weather or occasion, sores or injuries that have not been properly treated, noncompliance to a prescription medication, and unsafe or unsanitary living conditions. Neglect may be either passive (non-malicious) or willful. • In addition to observing signs in the elderly individual, abuse can also be detected by monitoring changes in the caregiver’s behavior. For example, the caregiver may not allow them to speak to or receive visitors, exhibit indifference or a lack of affection towards the elder, or refer to the elder as “a burden.” Caregivers who have a history of substance abuse or mental illness Abuse can sometimes be subtle, and therefore difficult, to detect. Regardless, awareness organizations and research advise to take any suspicion seriously and to address concerns adequately and immediately. How to Report Elder Abuse If you think or know you have witnessed a senior being abused or neglected, it is YOUR duty to make a report. Never assume that someone else is going to do it. Even if someone else does file a complaint, that will only back-up your suspicion and will assist in keeping the senior from further abuse or neglect. To make a report you can call an elder abuse hotline. The hotlines have trained professionals on call and prepared to take reports of elder abuse. They will take your report and forward it promptly to a local senior protective service agency or law enforcement. All calls and information related to elder abuse are are more likely to commit elder abuse than other individuals.

• Has mental health problems

strictly confidential. Other options include calling your local police department with the request for a wellness check, or calling your local hospital or doctor or even notifying a third party who will in turn report it on your behalf. If the abuse is happening to you, tell your doctor, a trusted friend or family member. Tell someone. Preventative Measures There are a variety of ways to reduce the risk of elder abuse. You can watch for warning signs of physical, mental or financial abuse. If you suspect it, report it. When hiring a caregiver make sure you’ve found one through a licensed home care agency that does national background checks and periodic drug testing. You can relieve the caregiver for a day and stay for a visit or take the senior out. Visiting your loved one on a regular basis, know what’s going on in the house and watch the financial accounts. Do not put anyone’s name on any accounts unless you want them to be an owner of the account. Keep an eye on their medication so you know how much is supposed to be taken within a certain amount of time. If you are being abused by anyone, tell someone or call an abuse hotline. There is never a reason to be embarrassed, nervous or overly concerned about reporting abuse. The claims will be followed up and you’ll be protected. Elder Abuse Hotlines 866-800-1409 | 888-206-1327 (TTY) Or Information on Long-Term Care Ombudsmen can be found starting on page 261. Elder Abuse Provider Agencies can be found starting on page 56. This article was created by Lecia Szuberla with Elderwerks Educational Services and information provided by Wikipedia https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/

• Is unemployed

• Has a criminal history

• Has a shared living situation

Risk factors can also be categorized into individual, relationship, community and sociocultural levels. At individual level, elders who have poor physical and mental health are at higher risk. At relationship level, a shared living situations is a huge risk factors for the elderly. Living in the same area with the abuser is more likely to cause an abuse. Third, at community level, social isolation is caused by the caregivers. In addition, some sociocultural risk factors that can contribute to elder abuse is a representation of an older person as weak and dependent, lack of funds to pay for care, children leaving elderly parents alone and destruction of bonds between the generation of a family. Signs of Abuse • Physical abuse can be detected by visible signs on the body, including bruises, scars, sprains, or broken bones. More subtle indications of physical abuse include signs of restraint, such as rope marks on the wrist, or broken eyeglasses. • Emotional abuse often accompanies the other types of abuse and can usually be detected by changes in the personality or behavior. They may display anger, anxiety or agitation. Seem hesitant to speak openly, seems resigned or withdrawn. The elder may also exhibit behavior mimicking dementia, such as rocking or mumbling • Financial exploitation is a subtler form of abuse, in comparison to other types, and may be more challenging to notice. Signs of financial exploitation include significant withdrawals from accounts, belongings or money missing from the home, unpaid bills, and unnecessary goods or services. It is the misuse or withholding of an adult’s resources by another.

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