Financial exploitation and abuse
Financial abuse may be direct abuse that impacts a senior's financial status or may be more indirect such as a physician's office that bills medical insurance for care not received. Seniors are far more likely to be impacted by con artists who exploit them simply because they are vulnerable. Some types of financial abuse include:
- Investment fraud - this is typically common with seniors who have a significant nest egg built up. Unscrupulous people discover a senior with certain levels of wealth and con them into investing in non-existent funds, securities or even life insurance policies.
- Medical care fraud - in some cases, a healthcare provider performs unneeded tests, double bills the senior as well as their insurance company or accepts money in return for referring a senior to another provider. All of these are considered financial exploitation.
- Direct theft and fraud - in some instances, a caregiver (or even a family member) may steal a senior's identity to gain direct access to their savings, checking or brokerage accounts. Unfortunately, all too often, this is only discovered after potentially thousands of dollars are missing.
Sexual abuse
While we never wish to think about our loved ones suffering any form of sexual abuse at the hands of another, seniors may be more prone to sexual abuse than many of us know. Although less common than other types of abuse, this is still a problem which may manifest itself in some of the following ways:
- Forced undressing - unless there is some valid reason for doing so (preparation for bed) forcing a senior to undress can be considered sexual exploitation or abuse
- Pornographic images - seniors should not be forced to view images that can be considered pornographic including photos or films.
- Direct sexual acts - forcing a senior to participate in any sexual act against their will is considered sexual abuse
Physical abuse
There is always a concern that a senior will be physically abused by a caregiver who grows frustrated by the amount of care the senior requires. Family members should always be aware of the potential signs of physical abuse including:
- Unexpected cuts and bruises - while it is common for seniors to bruise more easily than younger people, if you start seeing bruises and cuts that seem inconsistent with normal bumps and bruises from getting around, you should investigate further
- Signs of restraint - wrists and ankles should be monitored for any signs a senior is being restrained. This could be a sign of physical abuse of an elder patient under care
- Medication problems - if a senior suddenly seems to have not enough or too much medication left at certain times of the month, it may be the caregiver is over or under-medicating them which could exacerbate their symptoms.
Emotional abuse
Unfortunately, one of the hardest types of abuse to identify is emotional abuse. It can also be as devastating (and sometimes more devastating) to a senior's overall health. Some of the types of emotional abuse that may be inflicted on a senior include:
- Intimidation - yelling at a senior in a manner that appears to be threatening or intimidating
- Subjecting them to unfair treatment - treating a senior in a manner that is considered humiliating or ridiculing them
- Non-verbal abuse - this type of abuse includes isolating a senior, ignoring them when they attempt to get their needs cared for or otherwise terrorizing them.
Image credit: Elderly Woman by Ambro via freedigitalphotos.net
