Elder Abuse at Home.
Brenda Lewis. Health & Lifestyle Coach
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Additional family support and resources could benefit 1 in 10 seniors over 60 years of age. According to the National Institute on Aging (NIA), elders abuse can happen to anyone in many settings. Elders abuse and neglect can go unnoticed or minimized in the older adult’s home. Whether mild, moderate, or severe, an elder’s abuse harms the body, mind, and spirits of vulnerable seniors during what could be an older adult’s best years. Frail elders with few family members and with medical conditions reducing home independence, or with mental illness, or memory problems are at higher risk for elder abuse. It is important to understand elder abuse will not stop without help.
Concern for elder abuse arises when noticing unexplained physical injury when emotional neglect or basic needs are ignored, and or there’s the misuse of an elder’s finances. Physical abuse includes hitting, slapping, punching, or the use of restraints to restrict body movement. Emotional abuse ignores elders’ cries for help, and includes yelling, name-calling, screaming, and threats of physical violence. The abused elder appears withdrawn, fearful, depressed, sad, and maybe losing weight. Observers should notice any bruises, burns, skin breaks, skin wounds, and broken personal items. Agitated, angry, and violent behaviors and rocking motions can be an expression of unmanaged pain and discomfort in nonverbal persons. After a stroke or dementia, elders maybe unable to speak clearly or at all. Dentures, eyeglasses, hearing aids, wheelchairs, and walkers may appear to be needed but are absent in the home.
Notice the neglect of an elders’ basic needs for food, clothing, shelter, medications, medical care, and home safety. Is the elder hungry, thirsty, bathed, wearing clean clothes, and without body, urine, or poopy odor. Is the elder dressed appropriately for the weather? Neglect could mean the senior is home alone and unable to care for themselves. Consider if an elder is able to safely get groceries or prepare food for themselves. Notice a change in sleep habits or the new onset of concerning behaviors. Elder’s basic needs include the ability to safely take medications and go to scheduled medical appointments. Notice if the elders’ home is kept safe, uncluttered, and clean. Senior home repair help is offered in most communities. “Habitat for Humanity” volunteers provide home repair and the local “Area Offices on Aging” help to identify community resources.
Elder financial abuse could mean eviction notices, utility shut off, accumulating unpaid bills, and unkempt and unclean living conditions. Money may be taken and credit cards misuse. Bank accounts, insurance policies, and even wills are sometimes altered in elder financial abuse.
Planning for elder care helps to prevent elderly abuse. When elder abuse is suspected, immediate help is indicated. Help for caregivers with elder care stress supports seniors needing help in their homes. Caregivers can benefit by engaging in stress-managing self-care and by using community resources such as local respite care services when a break is needed. Caregivers should expect to need help and coaching as elder health and home situations change. Keeping elders safe is a basic and essential priority.
Readers will enjoy Dr. Cynthia Hickman, Your Proactive Caregiver Advocate, an elder care expert with resources for families needing an elder care coach and support. Dr. Hickman is the author of “From the Lens of a daughter, Nurse, & Caregiver”; and “The Black Book of Important Information for Caregivers”. Dr. Hickman founded Socks 4 Seniors, a valued community resource in Missouri City, Texas. Check out her website at https://cynthiajhickman.info/. The Eldercare Locator Network is a resource to find local resources. Find additional information at National Center for Elder Abuse.
Knowledge is power to better our lives. Be safe and stay well. Keep learning. Visit Basic and Essential Health for reliable health, wellness, and self-care information and resources.
National Institute on Aging (2020). Elder abuse. Retrieved October 10, 2022, from https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/elder-abuse#types .
Keywords : elder abuse, emotional abuse, senior care, senior resources, elder care, older adult care
