Protect our loved ones by knowing the signs and what to do if you see them.

Around 1 in 10 senior Americans experience some form of elder abuse. Some estimates show as many as 5 million seniors are abused each year. One study estimates that only 1 in 14 of these are reported to authorities. Often a senior’s desire to stay in their home eclipses their need to report abuse that might be happening

Common Types of Elder Abuse

There are five primary categories of abuse:

Physical – Non-accidental use of force that results in pain, injury, or impairment, including the use of drugs, restraints or confinement

Emotional – Treatment of an older adult in a way that causes emotional or psychological distress, including yelling, threats, ridicule, isolation, or blame

Sexual – Contact of a sexual nature with an elderly person without their consent

Neglect – Failing to fulfill basic needs such as food, water, health, cleanliness, pharmaceutical regularity, and emotional care

Financial – Unauthorized use of a senior’s funds or property

Self-Inflicted Abuse

Elder abuse can be self-inflicted as well. Our loved ones may feel like  they can still be independent without realizing they are not maintaining  a good quality of life.

Some things that you can do to help ensure they are practicing  good self-care are:

• Check in often and enlist the help of friends and neighbors to do the same. Are they gaining or losing too much weight? Does their home continue to have a healthy level of upkeep? Are any medications clearly marked and appear to be being taken regularly?
• Make sure that contact information for doctors is easily accessible in their home.
• Research senior centers that might offer daytime activities, as well as pick up and drop off services.
• As a later resort, consider looking into legal guardianship so that, if they truly are unable to care for themselves, you have the legal recourse to step in on their behalf.

Preventing Elder Abuse & Neglect

If you’re a caregiver and feel you are in danger of hurt or neglect, help is available. Maybe you’re having trouble controlling your anger? Have others raised concern with your behavior? Perhaps you feel disconnected or overwhelmed? Recognizing that you have a problem is the biggest step to getting help and preventing abuse.

Here are some examples to help you prevent elder abuse or neglect:

•  Request help from friends, relatives, or local respite care agencies or find an adult daycare program – everyone needs a break.

•  Take care of yourself with proper rest, diet, regular exercise, and medical needs.

•  Seek help for depression.

•  Find a support group for caregivers of  the elderly.

•  Get help for any substance abuse issues.

•  Get professional help such as a therapist.
Source: HelpGuide

The Warning Signs

Abusers will rarely abuse your loved one in your presence. Often it can happen in the heat of a moment when there isn’t anyone else around. However, there are signs that can indicate that abuse might be happening.

•  Unexplained bruises, welts, or scars, especially if they appear symmetrically on both sides of the body

•  Broken bones, sprains, or dislocations

•  Drug overdose or, conversely, signs of medication  not being taken

•  Dramatic weight loss for no apparent reason

•  Broken eyeglasses or other personal  assistance devices

•  Caregiver’s refusal to let you see your loved  one alone

•  A home that is in greater disarray than prior to the caretaker’s presence

•  Cowering or hiding behavior by your loved one in the presence of their caretaker

•  Sudden onset behavior that mimics dementia such as rocking, sucking, or mumbling

If you are looking for care for you or a loved one, click here to see a full list of home care options Parkwood Home Care has to offer.