You have lived in the same building with Mrs. Hadley for many years. You have met her at the mailboxes and chatted with her about her children and grandchildren countless times. You exit the elevator early one morning and see Mrs. Hadley retrieving her mail. With a smile you say, “Hello”. She nods her head and seems distant, almost as if she doesn’t know you. As you open your mailbox, you inquire about a large bruise and scratches she has on her wrists. Looking down to the floor she quietly says, “Oh, just an accident, the car door closed on me.” She says goodbye and quickly shuffles to the elevator to return to her apartment. There is something very odd about her behavior. You think to yourself that she is getting up in years and maybe her mind is getting a bit fuzzy. As you return to your apartment you can’t help but think that something is not right with Mrs. Hadley. Something else is going on.

This short story illustrates just the tip of the iceberg of thousands of abused senior citizens. You may have suspicions that an elderly person you know is being harmed physically or emotionally or is being preyed upon financially. It is important to learn the signs and symptoms of elder abuse and how to intervene on behalf of an abused friend, relative or neighbor. By understanding elder abuse you can help others and protect yourself from elder abuse in the future.

As we age and become frail, many of us cannot hear, think or communicate as well as we once did. Our ailments and disabilities open a door for unscrupulous individuals to harm us or take advantage of us. Elder abuse occurs where seniors live: in their homes, in homes of family members or in long-term care facilities. More than 500,000 cases of abused senior citizens are reported to authorities in the United States every year. It is likely that millions more go unreported.

What is Elder Abuse?

Elder abuse manifests in different ways. Many times it is perpetrated by those we love and trust. Here are the most common examples of elder abuse.

• Physical abuse:  non-accidental use of force against an elderly person that results in pain, injury or impairment. Physical assaults may involve hitting, pushing, and inappropriate use of medications, restraints or confinement.

• Emotional and psychological abuse:  the verbal intimidation of yelling or threatening an elder. Humiliation, ridicule, scapegoating and placing blame are common types of emotional abuse. Ignoring an individual or isolating them from friends or enjoyable activities constitutes types of nonverbal psychological elder abuse.

• Sexual abuse:  inappropriate intimate contact without an individual’s consent, forcing an elder into a sexual situation, coercing an elder to undress publicly or not clothing an individual properly.

• Neglect or abandonment:  the intentional or unintentional failure to fulfill a caretaking obligation. This constitutes more than half of all reported cases of elder abuse.

• Financial exploitation:  the unauthorized use of an individual’s money, property of personal belongings. This can be perpetrated by a caregiver, family member or an outside scam artist. It involves the misuse of elders’ bank accounts, credit cards or income checks. Financial abuse can entail forged signatures, identity theft and investment fraud.

• Healthcare fraud and abuse:  unethical doctors, nurses or other professional caregivers commonly commit this type of abuse by not providing healthcare but billing for it. They may overcharge or double-bill. Abusers may recommend fraudulent remedies or receive kickbacks for referrals or prescriptions. Beware of Medicaid and Medicare fraud.