By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
  • Health
    • Mental Health
    Health
    Healthcare organizations are operating on slimmer profit margins than ever. One report in August showed that they are even lower than the beginning of the…
    Show More
    Top News
    bowl of vegetable salad
    Raw Foods: benefits and harms
    November 9, 2021
    pros and cons of the keto diet
    Read This Before You Follow the Keto Diet
    May 18, 2022
    spinal cord injuries
    4 Potential Causes of Spinal Cord Injuries (and How to Seek Compensation)
    May 25, 2022
    Latest News
    7 Most Common Healthcare Accreditation Programs: Which Should You Use?
    August 20, 2025
    Hospital Pest Control and the Fight Against Superbugs
    August 20, 2025
    Hygiene Beyond The Clinic: Attention To Overlooked Non-Clinical Spaces
    August 13, 2025
    5 Steps to a Promising Career as a Healthcare Administrator
    August 3, 2025
  • Policy and Law
    • Global Healthcare
    • Medical Ethics
    Policy and Law
    Get the latest updates about Insurance policies and Laws in the Healthcare industry for different geographical locations.
    Show More
    Top News
    TBI: Some Surprising Statistics
    February 9, 2016
    Your Keys to Safer, Even More Secure Healthcare Cloud Services
    January 13, 2015
    4 Career Options in Healthcare Industry that Combine Big Data & Healthcare
    February 5, 2021
    Latest News
    How Social Security Disability Shapes Access to Care and Everyday Health
    August 22, 2025
    How a DUI Lawyer Can Help When Your Future Health Feels Uncertain
    August 22, 2025
    How One Fall Can Lead to a Long Road of Medical Complications
    August 22, 2025
    How IT and Marketing Teams Can Collaborate to Protect Patient Trust
    July 17, 2025
  • Medical Innovations
  • News
  • Wellness
  • Tech
Search
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Reading: Elder Abuse: Types of Maltreatment and Warning Signs
Share
Notification Show More
Font ResizerAa
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
Font ResizerAa
Search
Follow US
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Health Works Collective > Specialties > Geriatrics > Elder Abuse: Types of Maltreatment and Warning Signs
Geriatrics

Elder Abuse: Types of Maltreatment and Warning Signs

eCaring
eCaring
Share
5 Min Read
SHARE

elder abuseElder abuse, or any intentional or negligent act that causes harm or loss to an older person, is a significant health problem in the United States.

elder abuseElder abuse, or any intentional or negligent act that causes harm or loss to an older person, is a significant health problem in the United States.

Although estimates vary, it is believed that between 4% and 6% of America’s older adults are abused each year – and this number is growing.  According to the National Center on Elder Abuse, close to 6 million elderly abuse cases were reported in 2010 suggesting 9.5% of older adults were victims of violence.

Who is at risk?

More Read

101-Year-Old Paraglider
Tips for Working with Older Adults Who Hoard
Dangerous 18 Hours Shifts in Nursing Homes
LifeLongHealth.com – A Health-Oriented Social Network for Baby Boomers
How Occupational Therapists Help Seniors Get Things Done

Elder abuse affects seniors of regardless of gender, ethnic background, and socioeconomic status. Statistics show, however, that the majority of victims (67.3%) are women and Caucasian (66.4%). Nearly 30% of victims are African American or Hispanic.

Unfortunately, due to under-reporting and the lack of a uniform national reporting system, the scope of the problem is likely underestimated. In many cases, victims may be afraid or physically unable to tell the authorities, family, friends, or other caregivers about maltreatment. 

What types of elder abuse exist?

There are six major categories of elder abuse:

1. Physical abuse is inflicting or threatening to inflict the use of physical force that may result in bodily injury, physical pain, or impairment.  Physical abuse includes acts such as hitting, beating, pushing, and slapping the person. Inappropriate use of drugs and physical restraints and force-feeding are also examples of physical abuse. Physical abuse accounts for over 15% of elder abuse cases.

Warning signs: bruises, black eyes, broken bones, opens wounds and cuts, internal bleeding, a sudden change of behavior in the elder, caregiver’s refusal to allow lone visitors.

2. Emotional or psychological abuse is defined as the infliction of anguish, pain, or distress through verbal or non-verbal acts, including but not limited to insults, threats, humiliation, and harassment. Treating the older person like an infant and enforced social isolation are common examples of emotional and psychological elder abuse.

Warning signs: Expressions of agitation and withdrawal from the older person, unusual behavior such as sucking or rocking typically attributed to dementia.

3. Sexual abuse includes non-consensual sexual contact of any kind with a vulnerable elderly person. All types of sexual assault and battery as well as acts such as unwanted touching, rape, and coerced nudity are considered sexual abuse.

Warning signs: Bruises around breasts and genitals, unexplained sexual transmitted diseases or bleeding, torn clothing

4. Financial/material exploitation is defined as the Illegal or improper use of a senior’s funds, property, or assets. Acts of financial abuse include using the elder’s checks without permission, stealing money, coercing an older person to sign contracts or a will, and improper use of guardianship or power of attorney. 

Warning signs: unexplained withdrawals of large sums of money from bank accounts, abrupt changes in a will, unexplained bank transfers, the inclusion of additional names of signature cards.

5. Neglect accounts for the majority (58%) of elder abuse cases. Neglect involves refusal or failure by caretakers to fulfill obligation and duties related to the care and protection of an elderly person. This may include the failure to provide for basic necessities such as food, shelter, clothing, personal hygiene, safety, and medication, but may also involve the failure of a caregiver’s fiduciary responsibilities to properly manage money or pay for services such as home care. Self neglect is characterized as the behavior of an elderly person to provide for his or her own essential needs.

Warning signs: Dehydration, malnutrition, bed sores, hazardous or unsanitary living conditions (eg. Soiled bedding, no running water), unattended to health problems

6. Abandonment occurs when the elderly person is deserted by a caregiver or the person with physical custody of the elder.

Warning signs: leaving the older adult at the hospital or in a public location such as a shopping center.

Weigh in: What can be done to prevent elder abuse? How can we be better advocates for victims of elder abuse?

 

TAGGED:elder abuse
Share This Article
Facebook Copy Link Print
Share

Stay Connected

1.5kFollowersLike
4.5kFollowersFollow
2.8kFollowersPin
136kSubscribersSubscribe

Latest News

engineer fitting prosthetic arm
How Social Security Disability Shapes Access to Care and Everyday Health
Health care
August 20, 2025
a woman explaining the document
How a DUI Lawyer Can Help When Your Future Health Feels Uncertain
Public Health
August 20, 2025
physiotherapist at work
How One Fall Can Lead to a Long Road of Medical Complications
Health care
August 20, 2025
Common Healthcare Accreditation Programs
7 Most Common Healthcare Accreditation Programs: Which Should You Use?
Health News
August 20, 2025

You Might also Like

Image
GeriatricsTechnology

Person-Centered HealthCare; BeClose Home Monitoring System Helps Keep Track of the Elderly

December 21, 2012

Relieving Fall Ragweed Reactions for Elderly Allergy Sufferers

September 27, 2012

The Dos and Don’ts of Handling Elderly Patients

June 21, 2016
nursing homes in maine
GeriatricsNewsSpecialtiesWellness

Nursing Homes in Maine Are Best in Nation

March 23, 2013
Subscribe
Subscribe to our newsletter to get our newest articles instantly!
Follow US
© 2008-2025 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?