Over 5 million elderly adults in the United States have been victims of elder abuse in the past year. Elder abuse covers any intentional or negligent act that causes harm or distress to an elderly adult. It can take many forms, including physical, emotional, financial, and sexual abuse. All forms of elder abuse can have serious consequences for the victim’s health and well-being. As a result, it is important to be aware of the signs of elder abuse so that you can help to protect your loved ones from harm.

Physical Abuse

Physical abuse is one of the most common types of elder abuse. It includes anything from hitting and slapping to restraining with force and using weapons against an elderly person. Some signs of physical abuse include unexplained bruises, broken bones, and sprains; a physical injury that cannot be explained; unusual isolation; and emotional distress such as fear or anxiety.

Emotional Abuse

Emotional abuse involves verbal attacks such as insults and threats directed at an elderly person by another person or persons. It may also involve isolating an elderly person from family members and friends or preventing them from engaging in activities they enjoy. Emotional signs of emotional abuse include changes in mood or behavior, depression, withdrawing from social interactions, avoiding eye contact, lack of trust, frequent arguments between family members, being overly anxious around certain people, sudden changes in a will or other documents without explanation, and feelings of worthlessness or guilt.

Financial Abuse

Financial exploitation is when someone takes advantage of an elderly person’s financial resources without their consent or knowledge for their own personal gain. Common signs include suspicious activity on bank accounts (such as large transfers, withdrawals, and purchases); strange signatures on checks; sudden changes in wills or other legal documents without explanation; missing possessions such as jewelry and collectibles; pressure to sign documents without reading them first; and unexplained debts or bills not under the senior’s name.

Everyone should be aware that elder abuse is a real issue with profound implications for those affected by it. If you suspect that someone you know is being abused, it is important to report your concerns immediately so that appropriate action can be taken to ensure their safety and well-being. You may need to work with a whistleblower lawyer in cases like these. By paying attention to potential signs of mistreatment and understanding what actions need to be taken if you see them, you can help protect vulnerable seniors from becoming victims of elder abuse.

Author information: Emma Sturgis is a freelance writer based out of Boston, MA. She writes most often on health and education. When not writing, she enjoys reading and watching film noir. Say hi on Twitter @EmmaSturgis2.