It’s estimated that around 2.1 million elderly Americans are subject to various forms of elder abuse with 1 in 14 cases ever reaching police awareness. In Richmond, Virginia, advocates are standing up against long-term care facilities to raise awareness for victims of elder abuse. In order to understand why elders are a vulnerable community, it’s beneficial to dictate what elder abuse looks like.  

What is Elder Abuse? 

To stand up against a wrongful act, individuals must first understand what the purpose behind the mission is. So, this poses the question of what is elder abuse? Elder abuse can be defined as the intentional act or failure to act wrongfully towards an older adult that causes serious harm or a risk of harm. There are multiple types of elder abuse and knowing the warning signs can prevent harm to older adults. 

Types of Elder Abuse

Elder abuse can occur in various forms. Some of the major types of elder abuse include: 

• physical

• psychological

• financial

• sexual

• neglect

Warning Signs of Elder Abuse

When concerned about physical elder abuse, it is essential to check for marks such as bruises, cuts, or even fractures. Frequent unexplained accidents such as falls leading to physical harm can also be warning signs of elder abuse. 

Early warning signs of psychological abuse involve sudden changes in mood, especially displayed depressive symptoms. Additionally, if the older adult appears fearful or submissive around the caregiver, it can also be explained by psychological abuse. 

As for taking advantage of an older adult’s finances, changes in spending habits can be easier to decipher. If sexual abuse is suspected, emotional withdrawal and other physical indications can lead towards warning signs. Finally, neglect can be exhibited by a lack of care plans for the older adult and unclean living conditions. 

Why Does Elder Abuse Go Unreported?

Some people have the mindset that older adults have lived their life however, they still deserve to be treated correctly. On the other hand, a portion of older adults may be incapable of expressing their experiences due to cognitive decline or a lack of social relationships. Therefore, it is highly likely that most elder abuse cases go unreported due to resource deficiency. 

Who is Most at Risk?

In the older adult communities, those who experience cognitive decline, are socially isolated, or are dependent on daily care are at a higher risk for elder abuse. Older adults who are socially isolated lack the ability to communicate their concerns with people they trust. As for those who possess cognitive decline such as Alzheimer’s disease, these individuals are unable to discern any issues. For individuals who share the same living space as their caregiver, they may feel trapped and unable to voice their concerns. 

What Families Can Do

In order to protect your loved ones, whether that be your parents, in-laws, etc., families can Look 1st before they trust an organization. Look 1st allows families to look at an organization's standards and policies before they entrust their loved ones. With Look 1st’s easy to use website, families can search an organization to determine if it would be a good fit for their loved ones. Additionally, if family members suspect elder abuse it is essential to report any incidents immediately.