Abuse disregards the rights of an individual. Any type of abuse is a violation of an individual's rights.

A definition of elder abuse is:

"an all-inclusive term representing all types of mistreatment or abusive behavior toward older adults." (Wolfe, 2000) Retrieved March 11, 2003 from www.generationsjournal.org/gen-24-2/intro.html.

Common indicators of abuse

• caregiver speaks for older adult
• changes in level of care
• isolation/confinement
• withdrawal from activity, communication, and participation
• denial/rationalization
• depression, fear, anxiety, or agitation
• mental confusion

Types of abuse

• Financial/material
• Physical
• Psychological/emotional
• Neglect
• Medication

Financial/material abuse

• cheating or trickery to get possessions
• persuasion to get possessions
• stealing possessions in the form of money, personal items, cheques (for example, pensions, insurance)
• forcing a victim to grant a power of attorney
• stealing a credit card
• persuasion to invest in a fraudulent investment scheme
• home renovation fraud
• consignment sale fraud
• mortgage fraud

Indicators of financial/material abuse

• may be confused about own finances
• may have signed a document without being told of consequences
• lack of financial choices/decisions
• family members moving in without agreement and not shared costs
• unusual bank or ATM activity on behalf of older person
• discrepancy between income and standard of living
• possessions disappearing
• sudden or unexplained difficulty in paying bills
• refusal to spend money without agreement of caregiver

NOTE: Some of these indicators may be present and the older adult is not being abused.

Psychological/emotional abuse

• making threats, for example, threat to commit suicide, verbal abuse by attacking self esteem, threat to commit violence to a pet or a child the victim is close to
• frightening a victim
• forms of mental cruelty, for example, intimidation, uttering threats, harassing telephone calls

Indicators of psychological/emotional abuse

• becoming passive, withdrawn, agitated, anxious
• depression
• unusual weight gain/loss
• unexplained paranoia
• reluctance to talk openly
• making inconsistent statements
• appears nervous around certain caregiver, family member, friend or neighbour
• waits for caregiver to respond to questions
• noticeable behavioural changes including avoiding eye contact
• low self-esteem
• difficulty sleeping or needing excessive sleep
• making excuses for social isolation

NOTE: Some of these indicators may be present and the older adult is not being abused.

Medication abuse

• the misuse of medications, prescriptions or mood altering substances on purpose or by accident
• over-medication
• not providing adequate or appropriate medication when needed or when prescribed

Indicators of medication abuse

• reduced mental or physical activity
• depression
• making inconsistent statements
• appearing confused

NOTE: Some of these indicators may be present and the older adult is not being abused.

Physical abuse

• assault, for example, pushing, punching, hitting, slapping, kicking, pulling hair
• aggravated assault
• causing physical injury such as bruising, cuts, burns
• making threats
• counselling suicide
• using or threatening to use a weapon
• sexual assault, for example, an assault committed in circumstances of a sexual nature
• forcibly confining someone
• murder
• manslaughter
• force feeding
• administering a noxious (dangerous) substance

Indicators of physical abuse

• unexplained injuries in various stages of healing
• medical attention sought from a variety of doctors or clinics
• history of accidents or injuries
• injuries have not received proper medical attention
• depression, fear
• repeated falls
• injury to scalp, evidence of hair pulling
• rope or belt marks
• delay in seeking treatment

NOTE: Some of these indicators may be present and the older adult is not being abused.

Neglect

• failing to provide necessities of life
• criminal negligence causing bodily harm

Indicators of neglect both active and passive

• malnutrition, dehydration, weight loss
• medical treatment for non-injury ailments being withheld
• lack of required appliances or mobility aids
• necessities of life not being met
• lack of safety precautions or supervision
• untidy appearance, inappropriate clothing
• missing dentures, glasses, or hearing aid
• poor hygiene
• unattended for long periods or tied to chair/bed

NOTE: Some of these indicators may be present and the older adult is not being abused.

Return to Types of Abuse of Older Adults

Updated: September 29, 2003
© Legal Resource Centre of Alberta Ltd. 2002
OAK-Net: Abuse of Older Adults
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