Elder Abuse Can Happen To Anyone

credit to Alameda County District Attorney's Office, Elder Abuse Division

This information is provided by the Alameda County District Attorney's Office, Elder Abuse Division which is a great resource on elder abuse and keeps the community updated on the fight to end abuse perpetrated against our senior population. 

 

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.

Types of Abuse

There are many types of abuse:

• Physical abuse happens when someone causes bodily harm by hitting, pushing, or slapping.

• Emotional abuse, sometimes called psychological abuse, can include a caregiver saying hurtful words, yelling, threatening, or repeatedly ignoring the older person. Keeping that person from seeing close friends and relatives is another form of emotional abuse.

• Neglect occurs when the caregiver does not try to respond to the older person's needs.

• Abandonment is leaving a senior alone without planning for his or her care.

• Sexual abuse involves a caregiver forcing an older adult to watch or be part of sexual acts.

• Financial abuse happens when money or belongings are stolen. It can include forging checks, taking someone else's retirement and Social Security benefits, or using another person's credit cards and bank accounts. It also includes changing names on a will, bank account, life insurance policy, or title to a house without permission from the older person. Financial abuse is becoming a widespread and hard-to-detect issue. Even someone you've never met can steal your financial information using the telephone or email. Be careful about sharing any financial information over the phone or online—you don't know who will use it.

• Healthcare fraud can be committed by doctors, hospital staff, and other healthcare workers. It includes overcharging, billing twice for the same service, falsifying Medicaid or Medicare claims, or charging for care that wasn't provided. Older adults and caregivers should keep an eye out for this type of fraud.

​

Who Is Being Abused?

Most victims of abuse are women, but some are men. Likely targets are older people who have no family or friends nearby and people with disabilities, memory problems, or dementia.

​

Abuse can happen to any older person, 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.

What Are Signs of Abuse?

You may see signs of abuse or neglect when you visit an older person at home or in an eldercare facility. You may notice the person:

• Has trouble sleeping

• Seems depressed or confused

• Loses weight for no reason

• Displays signs of trauma, like rocking back and forth

• Acts agitated or violent

• Becomes withdrawn

• Stops taking part in activities he or she enjoys

• Has unexplained bruises, burns, or scars

• Looks messy, with unwashed hair or dirty clothes

• Develops bed sores or other preventable conditions

If you see signs of abuse, try talking with the older person to find out what's going on. For instance, the abuse may be from another resident and not from someone who works at the nursing home or assisted living facility. Most importantly, get help.

​

Who Can Help?

Elder abuse will not stop on its own. Someone else needs to step in and help. Many older people are too ashamed to report mistreatment. Or, they're afraid if they make a report it will get back to the abuser and make the situation worse.

If you think someone you know is being abused—physically, emotionally, or financially—talk with him or her when the two of you are alone. You could say you think something is wrong and you're worried. Offer to take him or her to get help, for instance, at a local adult protective services agency.

 

How to Report Elder Abuse

1.  Call 911

2. Talk to Police

3. Call Adult Protective Services 510-577-1900

4. Call 24 Hr. Elder Abuse Hot Line: 1-866-225-5277