ELDER ABUSE

Question 1

what is elder abuse?

Answer 1

physical, emotional, sexual harm inflicted upon an older adult; their financial exploitation or neglect of their welfare by people who are directly responsible for their care

Question 2

Types of elder abuse

Answer 2

physical, emotional, financial, sexual, neglect

Question 3

physical abuse warning signs

Answer 3

o Unexplained signs of injuries such as bruises welts or scars especially if they appear symmetrically on two sides of the body
o Broken bones brains or dislocations
o A report of drug overdose or an apparent failure to take medication regularly a prescription has more remaining than it should
o broken eyeglasses or frames
o signs of being restrained such as red marks on the wrist
o caregiver’s refusal to allow you to see the elder alone

Question 4

emotional abuse warning signs

Answer 4

o Threatening belittling or controlling caregiver behaviour
o Behaviour from the older that mimics dementia such as rocking sucking and mumbling to themselves

Question 5

sexual abuse warning signs

Answer 5

o bruises around the breasts or genitals
o unexplained vaginal or ** bleeding
o torn stained or bloody under clothing

Question 6

elder neglect signs

Answer 6

o unusual weight loss malnutrition or dehydration
o Untreated physical problems such as bed sores
o Unsanitary living conditions dirt bugs soiled bedding and clothes
o being left dirty or unbathed
o unsuitable clothing or covering for the weather unsafe living conditions (no heat or running water, faulty electrical wiring, other fire hazards)
o desertion of the elder at a public places

Question 7

financial exploitation warning signs

Answer 7

• Significant withdrawals from the elder’s accounts
• sudden changes in the elder’s financial condition
• Items or cash miss missing from the senior’s household
• suspicious changes in wills, power attorney, titles, and policies
• addition of names to the senior signature card
• Financial activity the senior couldn’t have undertaken such as ATM withdrawal when the account holder is bedridden unnecessary services goods or subscriptions
• Healthcare fraud or abuse warning signs:
  o duplicate Billings for the same medical service or device; evidence of over medication or under medication; evidence of inadequate care when bills are paid in full; problems with the care facility include poorly trained, poorly paid , or insufficient staff; crowding; inadequate responses to questions about care