The Abuse of Caretakers by the Elderly

Caring for an elderly person can be both rewarding and stressful. Most people are familiar with elder abuse, but abusive behavior is not limited to a certain age. Elderly patients are sometimes responsible for verbally, emotionally and physically abusing their own caregivers, often because of a mental or physical illness. The elderly person may be a parent, family member or a resident where you work. Regardless, caretakers must address abusive behavior by elderly individuals.

Basics

• Abuse can happen to anyone, including nursing staff and family caregivers. There are several kinds of abuse. Emotional abuse is combative or aggressive behavior toward the caregiver, such as name-calling, yelling profanities and threats of violence. This kind of abuse is hardest to prove because there are no visible signs of the abuse. Physical abuse is easier to prove because the evidence is visible as red marks, cuts and bruises on the skin. Elderly people sometimes start with aggressive behavior, then progress to physical abuse over time. Some elderly residents may even threaten to withhold payment for caregivers as a form of financial abuse.

Causes

• Abusive behavior is often caused by an underlying medical condition. Dementia is a common cause of aggressive behavior in the elderly, characterized by memory loss, disorientation and difficulty communicating needs. Alzheimer's disease is a common form of dementia and causes behavioral changes and paranoia due to changes in the brain. Depression can also cause aggressive behavior in the elderly. Symptoms of depression, such as sadness, sense of loss and difficulty sleeping can manifest as anger, causing the person to act in uncharacteristic ways. Head injuries, strokes and mental illness can also alter an elderly person's behavior.

Coping Strategies

• Caregivers may be embarrassed to report abusive behavior by elderly residents because of the age difference. Regardless of who the abuser is, you must report physical abuse to the appropriate authorities. Confront abusive behavior and seek help from other family members or organizations that offer support for caregivers. Adult daycare programs offer age-appropriate activities for seniors and often have programs for seniors with dementia. When caring for an abusive senior in your own home, call a home care agency near you to inquire about home visits to give you a break from the abusive behavior. Your absence may also signal to the abusive individual that you are serious about stopping the abusive behavior.

Solutions

• Although it may be hard to think about it, consider alternative living arrangements for your elderly loved one if the abuse does not stop. For non-family members, talk to the elder's family about their abusive behavior. Describe in clear precise detail how the elderly patient has been abusive toward you or a staff member and agree on a list of rules for acceptable behavior. If you work at an elderly facility and are being abused, ask your nursing supervisor for an evaluation of the patient's behavior. Many elderly facilities now have resident guidelines to prevent abuse of the medical staff.