Overview

Abuse of Elderly Persons includes…
..any act or omission which jeopardizes or results in harm to the health or welfare of an older individual, part of an ongoing pattern of power and control by someone with whom there is a trusting relationship.

Victims and abusers come from all socio-economic, religious and cultural backgrounds.

Abusers are:
spouses
adult children
professionals
friends
often dependent on the victim through alcoholism, drug dependency, psychological problems, and unemployment.

Warning: As with other forms of abuse, the pressure on the victim escalates when s/he seeks to make change through disclosure or attempts to get help.

Types of abuse:

Physical

• confinement or restraining
• with-holding basic care or basic needs
• over or under medicating
• sexual assault
• physical assault (violence or rough treatment)

Psychological

• demeaning
• name-calling
• insulting
• ignoring
• humiliating
• frightening
• threatening
• isolating
• intimidating
• crazy-making behaviour (i.e.: "you forgot", "you didn't tell me", "I told you" etc.) causing the older person to doubt their own mental processing
• treating like a child
• removing decision-making power
• withholding love
• denying access to grandchildren and/or other significant family members or friends and professionals..

"It makes you feel so small that you could slide under the door."

Financial:

• unethically exploiting the older person's assets through misuse of a joint account, Power of Attorney, power or influence.

Neglect

Passive neglect
is unintentional failure to fulfil care giving obligations
infliction of physical or emotional stress or injury
abandonment
denial of food, medication, or personal hygiene.

Active neglect
is intentional.