Article by Gwen Jones, Department of Family Services
(Posted 2023 May)
Elder abuse, the mistreatment or harming of an older person, may take the form of physical, emotional, or sexual abuse. Neglect and financial exploitation are also forms of elder abuse. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, at least 15 percent of older adults in the U.S. experience elder abuse each year. Elder abuse has been directly linked to poor health outcomes in older adults. Physical forms of abuse are directly tied to injury, institutionalization, hospitalization, poor health, and mortality. Financial exploitation and fraud may also contribute to poor health outcomes by depriving older adults of the resources they need to maintain their health, including seeking medical care and purchasing prescriptions.
According to the National Center on Elder Abuse, the types of elder abuse and behaviors associated with them include:
- Physical abuse: use of force to threaten or physically injure an older person.
- Emotional abuse: verbal attacks, threats, rejection, isolation, or belittling behavior that causes mental distress.
- Sexual abuse: sexual contact that is forced, tricked, or coerced; this includes anyone who is unable to grant consent.
- Exploitation: theft, fraud, misuse or neglect of authority; exerting undue influence to gain control over an older person’s money or property.
- Neglect: failure or refusal to provide for an older person’s safety, physical, or emotional needs.
It’s not always obvious when abuse is taking place, so signs to watch for include:
- Unusual changes in behavior or sleep
- Fear or anxiety
- Isolated or not responsive
- Depression
- Broken bones, bruises, and welts
- Cuts, sores or burns
- Untreated bed sores
- Torn, stained or bloody underwear
- Unexplained sexually transmitted diseases
- Dirtiness, poor nutrition or dehydration
- Poor living conditions
- Lack of medical aids (glasses, walker, teeth, hearing aid, medications)
- Unusual changes in bank account or money management
- Unusual or sudden changes in a will or other financial documents
- Fraudulent signatures on financial documents
- Unpaid bills
If you suspect abuse, exploitation, or neglect of an adult who is 60 years or older or is 18 years and older and incapacitated, call Adult Protective Services at 703-324-7450, TTY 711, to report it. Reports can be filed for people who live alone or with relatives or who are residents in nursing homes, assisted living facilities, hospitals, or group homes. If you report suspected abuse, neglect or exploitation, your identity is kept strictly confidential, as required by state law. Additionally, people who report suspected abuse are immune from any civil or criminal liability unless they act in bad faith or with a malicious purpose.
Once a report of suspected abuse is received, Adult Protective Services (APS) will determine validity, and if a case is assigned, APS will determine whether the adult in question needs protective services. They may also provide case management services. The goals of Adult Protective Services include:
- Preventing abuse, neglect or exploitation of older adults and incapacitated adults.
- Helping older and incapacitated adults continue to live in their own homes as long as possible.
- Helping older and incapacitated adults find appropriate placements in nursing homes or other institutions only when necessary.
- Helping older adults and incapacitated adults become as self-sufficient as possible.
By knowing and recognizing the signs of abuse, and having the courage to report it, you can dramatically improve the life of an older adult experiencing abuse in our community.
This article is part of the Golden Gazette monthly newsletter which covers a variety of topics and community news concerning older adults and caregivers in Fairfax County. Are you new to the Golden Gazette? Don’t miss out on future newsletters! Subscribe to get the electronic or free printed version mailed to you. Have a suggestion for a topic? Share it in an email or call 703-324-GOLD (4653).