We’ve all heard the horror stories of elder abuse that happens in various facilities, but this type of abuse can happen anywhere. And in cases of abuse, it’s not always obvious.

If you suspect a senior in your life is being abused, there’s a good chance you’re right. But in this post, we’re going to cover some signs of elder abuse and tips for reporting it to the authorities.

Signs of elder abuse

If you’re looking for signs of elder abuse, the first thing to understand is that there are various types of abuse, including financial abuse, neglect, physical abuse, and emotional or psychological abuse.

Seniors are more likely to become dependent on their caregivers, so they are more susceptible to all forms of abuse.

Signs of financial abuse

If you notice a senior is suddenly missing checks or short on cash, there’s a chance their caregiver is stealing from them. In this case, look for patterns and try to rule out forgetfulness. This will be difficult if the senior is also suffering from the early stages of dementia, but with careful attention, you should be able to notice some patterns.

Signs of neglect

If a senior in your life is clearly lacking basic hygiene, this is a clear sign of negligence. Also, if the senior in your life is experience repeated falls when they have a constant caregiver, it’s a sign of potential neglect.

Signs of physical abuse

Repeated accidents could also be a sign of physical abuse. In many cases, the victim will be afraid of their abuser and may not be honest about the origins of an injury. Or if the senior has unexplained bruises or other injuries, it may be a sign of physical abuse.

Signs of psychological abuse

Psychological or emotional abuse is definitely more challenging to detect than other types, but it can have a serious impact on a person’s wellbeing. Look for signs of depression or anxiety, and pay careful attention to the senior’s demeanor around any suspected abuser.

How to report elder abuse

If you’re relatively sure a senior is a victim of any form of abuse, it’s important to get involved. In many cases, seniors aren’t capable of standing up for themselves in this situation. So you may be the only one who can help.

Start by documenting any proof of abuse. These could include:

• Changes in the senior’s behavior (write a description and get others to do the same)
• Physical injuries (take pictures and write a description)
• Account from the victim (get a written, signed account of the abuse, if possible)
• Witness statements

If the senior is living alone, contact the local police department. And if the senior is in a nursing home or long-term care facility, find and contact your local long-term ombudsman. Every state has an ombudsman program that handles complaints against long-term care and nursing home abuse. This organization will advocate for the senior who is in an abusive situation within long-term care.

In any case, you may want to contact a local lawyer who specializes in elder abuse. Elder abuse is a heartbreaking thing, but if you take action right away, you can help resolve the situation quickly.

Author Bio: Robert Hamparyan is one of California’s most accomplished personal injury lawyers. He first attended the University of Southern California, where he received his B.A. After receiving his undergraduate degree, he proceeded to the Western State University School of Law where he received his Juris Doctor Degree. Hamparyan Personal Injury Lawyers San Diego was founded so that Robert could bring more of his skill and knowledge