Types of Abuse
Any deliberate action or lack of action that causes harm to an older adult is elder abuse. The harm could be physical, emotional, financial or some combination and is often caused by a close friend or relative. Abuse disregards the rights of an individual. Any type of abuse is a violation of an individual's rights. It is not your fault. It is controlling behaviour.
Some common indicators of abuse include the following.
- caregiver speaks for older adult;
- changes in level of care;
- isolation/confinement;
- withdrawal from activity, communication, and participation;
- denial/rationalization;
- depression, fear, anxiety, or agitation; and
- mental confusion.
Common types of abuse include the following.
Financial/Material Abuse
Examples of financial or material abuse include:
- cheating or trickery to get possessions;
- persuasion to get possessions;
- stealing possessions in the form of money, personal items, cheques (for example, pensions, insurance);
- forcing a victim to grant a power of attorney;
- stealing a credit card;
- persuasion to invest in a fraudulent investment scheme;
- home renovation fraud;
- consignment sale fraud; and
- mortgage fraud.
Indicators of financial/material abuse can include:
- may be confused about own finances;
- may have signed a document without being told of consequences;
- lack of financial choices/decisions;
- family members moving in without agreement and not shared costs;
- unusual bank or ATM activity on behalf of older person;
- discrepancy between income and standard of living;
- possessions disappearing;
- sudden or unexplained difficulty in paying bills; and
- refusal to spend money without agreement of caregiver.
NOTE: Some of these indicators may be present and the older adult is not being abused; these are merely possible indicators of abuse.
For more information see the Financial Abuse of Older Adults pamphlet.
Physical Abuse
Examples of physical abuse include:
- assault, for example, pushing, punching, hitting, slapping, kicking, pulling hair;
- aggravated assault;
- causing physical injury such as bruising, cuts, burns;
- making threats;
- counselling suicide;
- using or threatening to use a weapon;
- sexual assault, for example, an assault committed in circumstances of a sexual nature;
- forcibly confining someone;
- murder;
- manslaughter;
- force feeding; and
- administering a noxious (dangerous) substance.
Indicators of physical abuse include:
- unexplained injuries in various stages of healing;
- medical attention sought from a variety of doctors or clinics;
- history of accidents or injuries;
- injuries have not received proper medical attention;
- depression, fear;
- repeated falls;
- injury to scalp, evidence of hair pulling;
- rope or belt marks; and
- delay in seeking treatment.
NOTE: Some of these indicators may be present and the older adult is not being abused; these are merely possible indicators of abuse.
For more information see the Physical Abuse of Older Adults pamphlet.
Psychological/Emotional Abuse
Examples of psychological or emotional abuse include:
- making threats, for example, threat to commit suicide, verbal abuse by attacking self esteem, threat to commit violence to a pet or a child the victim is close to;
- frightening a victim; and
- forms of mental cruelty, for example, intimidation, uttering threats, harassing telephone calls.
Indicators of psychological or emotional abuse include:
- becoming passive, withdrawn, agitated, anxious;
- depression;
- unusual weight gain/loss;
- unexplained paranoia;
- reluctance to talk openly;
- making inconsistent statements;
- appears nervous around certain caregiver, family member, friend or neighbour;
- waits for caregiver to respond to questions;
- noticeable behavioural changes including avoiding eye contact;
- low self-esteem;
- difficulty sleeping or needing excessive sleep; and
- making excuses for social isolation.
NOTE: Some of these indicators may be present and the older adult is not being abused; these are merely possible indicators of abuse.
For more information see the Psychological (Emotional) Abuse of Older Adults pamphlet.
Neglect
Examples of neglect include:
- failing to provide necessities of life; and
- criminal negligence causing bodily harm.
Indicators of neglect (both active and passive) include:
- malnutrition, dehydration, weight loss;
- medical treatment for non-injury ailments being withheld;
- lack of required appliances or mobility aids;
- necessities of life not being met;
- lack of safety precautions or supervision;
- untidy appearance, inappropriate clothing;
- missing dentures, glasses, or hearing aid;
- poor hygiene; and
- unattended for long periods or tied to chair/bed.
NOTE: Some of these indicators may be present and the older adult is not being abused; these are merely possible indicators of abuse.
Medication Abuse
Examples of medication abuse include:
- the misuse of medications, prescriptions or mood altering substances on purpose or by accident;
- over-medication; and
- not providing adequate or appropriate medication when needed or when prescribed.
Indicators of medication abuse include:
- reduced mental or physical activity;
- depression;
- making inconsistent statements; and
- appearing confused.
NOTE: Some of these indicators may be present and the older adult is not being abused; these are merely possible indicators of abuse.
