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Elderly Abuse in Health Care Facilities

At least one in nine Americans over the age of 60 suffers abuse and almost half of those who develop dementia are victimized, the Elder Justice website says. Abuse can be physical, emotional/psychological, neglect, financial or various forms of fraud. Knowing how to spot the signs, respond to and prevent abuse will help improve the support provided in nursing homes and other care-giving facilities. Monitoring patients' physical and emotional status closely and directly is the best way to spot and prevent abuse.

  1. Physical

    • Physical elder abuse is usually visible in the form of bruising, scratches, broken bones or eye glasses, burns and other unexplained injuries. Sprains and strains are less obvious but limited ability to move without pain is a possible sign. If the patient tries to avoid being touched by an assigned care giver or seems unusually agitated, irritable or withdrawn, these could be signs of physical abuse, the National Center on Elder Abuse (NCEA) website warns

    Psychological/Emotional

    • Verbal harassment, such as insults, threats, ridicule or attempts to confuse patients are forms of abuse, as is the refusal to interact or attempts to isolate patients from friends and family, NCEA and the HelpGuide.org websites explain. Patients can become depressed and withdrawn, fearful or needy. Some show stress by rocking, sucking or biting. It can be hard to detect in patients with dementia because they often have behavior problem, and are harder to care for. As a result, they are more likely to be abused than those who are more alert.

    Sexual

    • Unwarranted touching, coerced nudity, rape and taking sexually explicit photographs constitute sexual abuse. Some, but not all, forms of sexual abuse are physical as well; signs include bleeding in the invaded areas and soiled clothing or sheets. The development of a sexually transmitted disease is a red flag, too, HelpGuide.org says.

    Neglect

    • About half of all abuse cases report involve the failure to provide adequate care or attention to elderly patients, either intentionally or otherwise, HelpGuide.org says. Neglected patients are often dehydrated, not clothed, bathed or groomed regularly and may not be taking medications as prescribed or getting other treatment they need.

    Financial

    • Inappropriate use of a patient's credit cards, checks or accounts and theft from the patient or family members by requiring payment for services or products that aren't provided are examples of financial abuse. Checking bank statements and the patient's will for sudden changes can reveal this type of fraud.

    Prevention

    • Family members and friends can help prevent abuse by visiting elderly patients frequently to check on them. Staff members are less likely to overstep if they know their relationship with the patient is being watched. And, the patient is more likely to discuss abuse they're enduring with those they trust and see often than those to whom they don't feel a bond. Any care giver who tries to keep a patient away from friends or family without a compelling reason should be considered suspect.

    Resources

    • NCEA provides a list of state hotlines you can call to report suspected or confirmed abuse incidents. The Eldercare Locator has a number to call for information and referrals on this subject, NCEA adds.

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