A Website of The Centre for Public Legal Education Alberta

OakNet

Canadian Law for Older Adults

  • Home
  • Abuse
  • Planning
  • Housing
  • Relationships
  • Scams & Fraud
  • Travel
  • More Info
You are here: Home > Abuse > Types of Abuse > Physical Abuse

Physical Abuse

Physical abuse is caused by inflicting physical harm on an older adult.

Physical abuse includes behaviours such as:

  • sedating (quietening) a person through over-medication
  • under-medicating a person when drugs are needed for a medical problem
  • holding back or not giving enough food
  • purposely exposing a person to severe weather
  • physically confining the person for long periods of time

Signs of Physical Abuse

  • marks or physical injuries that cannot be explained (or where the explanation seems unlikely)
  • repeated falls
  • medical attention sought from a variety of doctors or clinics
  • injuries that have not received proper medical attention
  • delay in seeking treatment
  • confusion or tiredness from over-medication
  • continued suffering from a medical condition as a result of under-medication
  • loss of mobility as a result of being restrained
  • depression
  • signs of fear of certain family members, friends, or caregivers
  • locks on the doors
  • locks in areas where food is kept
  • unusual marks on furniture from restraints

NOTE: Some of these indicators may be present and the older adult is not being abused. These are only possible signs of abuse.


For more information, see CPLEA’s Let’s talk: Elder abuse resource manual.

  • Getting Help
  • Types of Abuse
    • Financial Abuse
    • Physical Abuse
    • Sexual Abuse
    • Emotional Abuse
    • Neglect
    • Medication Abuse
    • Stories of Abuse
  • Preventing Abuse
  • Resources
  • Cover your Tracks Online
The information on this site applies in Alberta only.

Contact Us

Email: Contact CPLEA

Territory Acknowledgement

The Centre for Public Legal Education respectfully acknowledges that we are located on Treaty 4, 6, 7, 8 and 10 territories, the traditional lands of First Nations, Métis, and Inuit.

Social

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
BACK TO TOP

Disclaimer

This website provides legal information about the law in Alberta only. It does not provide legal advice.

Laws may be different in other provinces. Read the full disclaimer.

Cover Your Tracks Online

To ensure that no one can trace your browsing history, you need to take certain steps to delete your visit to the this site.

Click here to read more.

Copyright 2016 Legal Resource Centre of Alberta. All rights reserved. Read the full Copyright Statement

Font Resize
Contrast
Accessibility by WAH
  • Abuse
    • Getting Help
      • Getting the Police Involved
      • Having a Conversation
      • Keeping the Abuser Away
      • Criminal Court Process
      • Civil Court and Compensation
    • Types of Abuse
      • Financial Abuse
      • Physical Abuse
      • Sexual Abuse
      • Emotional Abuse
      • Neglect
      • Medication Abuse
      • Stories of Abuse
    • Preventing Abuse
      • Tips for Planning and Security
      • Capacity and Consent
    • Resources
    • Cover your Tracks Online
  • Home
  • Housing
  • More Info
    • Copyright Statement
    • Disclaimer
  • More Information
  • Planning for the Future
    • Help with Decision Making
      • Office of the Public Guardian and Trustee
    • Capacity and Capacity Assessments
    • Making Personal Decisions
      • Personal Directives
      • Supported Decision-Making Authorization
      • Co-Decision-Making Orders
      • Guardianship
    • Making Financial Decisions
      • Powers of Attorney
      • Jointly-Owned Property
      • Informal Trusteeship
      • Trusteeship
    • Estate Planning
      • Wills
      • Planning your own Funeral
      • Dying without a Will
    • Resources
  • Relationships
    • Dating and New Relationships
    • Grandparents and Grandchildren
  • Search Results
  • Travel
  • Scams & Fraud