Recognizing and Reporting Signs of Abuse and Neglect
Abuse can happen to anyone, no matter the person's age, sex, race, religion, or ethnic or cultural background. Each year, hundreds of thousands of adults over the age of 60 are abused, neglected, or financially exploited. This is called elder abuse. Abuse can happen in many places, including the older person's home, a family member's house, an assisted living facility, or a nursing home.
The mistreatment of older adults can be by family members, strangers, health care providers, caregivers, or friends. Vulnerable adults are adults who are at risk for abuse or mistreatment because they are not able to protect themselves from harm due to mental, emotional, developmental disability; or brain damage; or changes from aging. Abuse can happen to any older adult, but often affects those who depend on others for help with activities of everyday life including bathing, dressing, and taking medicine. People who are frail may appear to be easy victims. Abuse can happen to any older person, by a loved one, a hired caregiver, or a stranger. Abuse can happen at home, at a relative's home, or in an eldercare facility. According to the United States Department of Justice, in the United States it is estimated that over 10% of those age 65 and older experience some form of elder abuse in a given year.
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These materials are meant to supplement in-house trainings for direct care providers. All information gathered from these materials should be used within the participant’s scope of practice.
Please contact Laurie Belden (laurie@homecarealliance.org) if there are others within your agency that should be added to the newsletter distribution list.
