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> Elder Abuse |
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Elder Abuse |
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What are
warning signs of abuse? |
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The following indicators, by themselves,
do not necessarily signify abuse or neglect. However they may be
helpful in assessment of abuse. |
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eld |
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Possible indicators of Physical Abuse |
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Cuts, lacerations, puncture wounds |
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Bruises, welts, discoloration |
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Any injury incompatible with history |
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Poor skin condition or poor skin
hygiene |
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Absence of hair and/or hemorrhaging
below scalp |
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Dehydration and/or malnourished
without illness-related cause |
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Loss of weight |
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Soiled clothing or bed |
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Burns:
may be caused by cigarettes, caustics, acids, friction from ropes or
chains, or contact with other objects |
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Any injury which has not been properly
cared for (injuries are sometimes hidden on areas of the body normally
covered by clothing) |
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Possible indicators of
Psychological/Emotional Abuse
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Helplessness |
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Hesitation to talk openly |
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Implausible stories |
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Confusion or disorientation |
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Anger |
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Fear |
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Withdrawal |
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Depression |
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Denial |
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Agitation |
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eld |
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Possible indicators of Financial
Abuse |
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Unusual or inappropriate activity in
bank accounts |
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Signatures on checks, etc., that do
not resemble the older person's signature, or signed when older person
cannot write |
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Power of attorney given, or recent
changes or creation of will, when the person is incapable of making such
decisions |
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Unusual concern by caregiver that an
excessive amount of money is being expended on the care of the older
person |
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Numerous unpaid bills, overdue rent,
when someone is supposed to be paying the bills for a dependent elder |
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Placement in nursing home or
residential care facility which is not commensurate with alleged size of
estate |
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Lack of amenities, such as TV,
personal grooming items, appropriate clothing, that the estate can well
afford |
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Missing personal belongings such as
art, silverware, or jewelry |
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Deliberate isolation, by a
housekeeper, of an older adult from friends and family, resulting in the
caregiver alone having total control |
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Possible indicators of
Self-Neglect |
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Inability to manage personal finances,
e.g. hoarding, squandering, giving money away or failure to pay bills |
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Inability to manage activities of
daily living, including personal care, shopping, meal preparation,
housework, etc. |
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Suicidal acts, wanderings, refusing
medical attention, isolation, substance abuse |
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Lack of toilet facilities, utilities
or animal infested living quarters (dangerous conditions) |
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Rashes, sores, fecal/urine smell,
inadequate clothing, malnourished, dehydration, etc. |
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Changes in intellectual functioning,
e.g. confusion, inappropriate or no response, disorientation to time and
place, memory failure, incoherence, etc. |
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Not keeping medical appoints for
serious illness |
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eld |
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Possible indicators of Abuse
from the Caregiver |
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The elder may not be given the
opportunity to speak for him or herself, or see others, without the
presence of the caregiver (suspected abuser) |
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Attitudes of indifference or anger
toward the dependent person, or the obvious absence of assistance |
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Family member or caregiver blames the
elder (e.g. accusation that incontinence is a deliberate act) |
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Aggressive behavior (threats, insults,
harassment) by caregiver toward the elder |
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Previous history of abuse to others |
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● Problems with alcohol or drugs |
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Inappropriate display of affection by
the caregiver |
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Flirtations, coyness, etc as possible
indicators of inappropriate sexual relationship |
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Social isolation of family, or
isolation or restriction of activity of the older adult within the
family unit by he caregiver |
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Conflicting accounts of incidents by
family, supporters, or victim |
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Unwillingness or reluctance by he
caregiver to comply with service providers in planning for care an
implementation |
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Inappropriate or unwarranted
defensiveness by caregiver |
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