When Abuse Happens

You can recognize when elder abuse, neglect or exploitation is occurring. The current Michigan Citizens for Better Care brochure gives the following advice: Physical abuse involves acts of violence resulting in pain, injury or disease. Signs of physical abuse you might see include: scratches, welts or burns; bruises, lacerations, or fractures; multiple injuries in various stages of healing.

• Psychological abuse and neglect is behavior that causes mental suffering. Signs might include: confusion; withdrawal; depression; fear; agitation.
• Physical neglect is the failure of the responsible person to provide goods or services needed for the elderly to function or to prevent harm. It may also include failure to use available funds for appropriate care. Note that vulnerable adults who cannot care for themselves may neglect themselves. Signs of neglect include: dehydration or malnutrition; poor personal hygiene including soiled clothing and body odor; decreased weight; pressure sores (decubitus ulcers).
• Exploitation involves misuse of the adult's financial and material resources. Signs may include: unusual activity in the bank account; transfer of assets; substandard care despite adequate financial resources; hoarding of personal items; missing valuables or clothing; lack of spending money.

Why Does Elder Abuse Occur?

According to the NCEA, elder abuse, like other types of domestic violence, is extremely complex. "Generally," they state, "a combination of psychological, social, and economic factors, along with mental and physical conditions of the victim and the perpetrator, contribute to the occurrence of elder maltreatment." Among those factors, the NCEA lists caregiver stress, impairment of the dependent elder (meaning those people in poor health are more likely to be abused), learned behavior, and personal problems of the abusers. The NCEA also notes that two-thirds of older abuse perpetrators are family members of the victims.

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