Definition of Abuse

• The General Accounting Office (GAO) report, "More Can Be Done to Protect Residents from Abuse," gives the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) definition of elder abuse as the "willful infliction of injury, unreasonable confinement, intimidation or punishment resulting in physical harm, pain or mental anguish." Many states develop their own definition of elder abuse. However, the definition must be at least as board as the one published by the CMS.
  
  

Prevalence

• Abuse of the elderly in care facilities and in private homes is not rare. HelpGuide.org reports tens of thousands of elderly persons are victimized and more than 500,000 abuse reports are filed each year in the United States. Many cases of abuse go unreported. Some elders do not have the mental capacity to report the abuse or are afraid to do so. Many self-reported cases of abuse are dismissed due to the patient's diminished mental capacity or the caregiver's ability to explain the complaint away.
  
  

Physical Abuse

• Physical abuse is any action that results in harm to the elderly person. Types of physical abuse include hitting, slapping, shoving, pinching, burning, confinement and the improper use of restraints or drugs. Any act that results in injury, impairment or physical pain is included in this category. Signs of physical abuse include bruises, scars, welts, broken bones, restraint marks, broken glasses and drug overdose. People who physically abuse an elder may show reluctance to allow visitors to see the elder alone.
  
  

Emotional Abuse

• Emotional abuse of the elderly is harder to detect. Unlike physical abuse, it does not leave scars. Emotional abuse is any action that causes distress or emotional pain. Types of emotional abuse include intimidation, terrorizing or menacing behaviors, yelling or threats, "habitual" blaming, humiliation, ridicule and isolation. Signs of emotional abuse include dementia-like behaviors or child-like behaviors such as rocking or sucking.
  
  

Sexual Abuse

• Sexual abuse is any sexual act or contact without the elderly person's consent. This includes subjecting the elderly person to pornography, forcing the elder to undress or forcing the elder to witness acts of a sexual nature. It also includes physical sexual contact, such as unwanted touching, rape molestation and sexual battery. Signs of sexual abuse include torn or bloody clothing, genital infections or disease, bruising around genitals or breasts, or unexplained anal or vaginal bleeding.
  
  

Financial Abuse

• Financial abuse occurs when a person uses the financial resources or property of the elderly person without his consent. It includes the unauthorized use of money and bank accounts, identify theft or the unauthorized use of personal property. Signs of financial abuse include unpaid bills, bank transactions not conducted by the elderly person, missing cash or personal items, addition of names on signature accounts and changes in deeds, titles, policies or wills.
  
  

Neglect

• Neglect is often responsible for emotional and physical harm. Neglect occurs when the caregiver fails to provide for the elderly person's needs or when the caregiver ignores the elderly person. Common types of neglect include the failure to provide enough food, water or clothing; failure to help the elder with personal hygiene; failure to provide a clean and safe living environment; or failure to attend to the elder's medical needs. Signs of neglect include bed sores, malnutrition, dehydration, unexplained weight loss or a dirty or unkempt appearance.