Elder abuse usually
happens without anyone knowing. How doe you knowif an elderly person
is being abused? Focus on Elder Abuse lists some of the signs to look
out for:
Possible indicators of physical
abuse
- cuts, lacerations, puncture
wounds
- bruises, welts, discolouration
- any injury incompatible with
history
- any injury which has not been
properly cared for (injuries are sometimes hidden on areas of the
body normally covered by clothing
- poor skin condition or poor
skin hygiene
- absence of hair and or hemorrhaging
below scalp
- dehydration and or malnourished
without illness-related cause
- loss of weight
- burns: may be caused by cigarettes,
caustics, acids, friction from ropes or chains, or contact with other
objects
- soiled clothing or bed
Possible indicators of psychological
/ emotional abuse
- helplessness
- fear
- hesitation to talk openly
withdrawal
- implausible stories
- depression
- confusion or disorientation
- denial
- anger
- agitation
Indicators of
possible financial abuse
- unusual or inappropriate activity
in bank accounts
- signatures of cheques, etc.,
that do not resemble the older person's signature, or signed when
older person cannot write
- power of attorney given, or
recent changes or creation of will, when the person is incapable of
making such decisions
- unusual concern by caregiver
that an excessive amount of money is being expended on the care of
the older person
- numerous unpaid bills, overdue
rent, when someone is supposed to be paying the bills for a dependent
elder
- placement in nursing home or
residential care facility which is not commensurate with alleged size
of estate
- lack of amenities such as TV,
personal grooming items, appropriate clothing, that the estate can
well afford
- missing personal belongings
such as art, silverware, or jewellery
- deliberate isolation, by a housekeeper,
of an older adult from friends and family, resulting in the caregiver
alone having total control
Elders may be
financially exploited if they are:
- accompanied by a stranger who
encourages them to withdraw a large amount of cash
- accompanied by a family member
or other person who seems to coerce them into making transactions
- not allowed to speak for themselves
or make decisions
- with an acquaintance who appears
too interested in their financial status
- nervous or afraid of the person
accompanying them
- giving implausible explanations
about what they are doing with their money
- concerned or confused about
'missing funds' in their accounts
- unable to remember financial
transactions or signing paperwork
- fearful that they will be evicted
or institutionalised if money is not given to a caregiver
- neglected or receiving insufficient
care for their needs or financial status
- isolated from other family members
or supports by a family member of acquaintance
Symptoms of financial
exploitation - suspicious banking activity
- unusual volume of banking activity
- frequent account changes
from one branch/bank to another
- change in pattern of withdrawals
(e.g. several in one day) or unusually large amounts
- large withdrawals or transfers
from recently opened joint accounts
- banking activity inconsistent
with customer's usual habits
- large withdrawal from previously
inactive account or savings account
- frequent withdrawals made
through ATMs, especially if elder is physically frail and had
not used ATM previously
- regular rent or utility
payments by cheque cease abruptly
- stable, single beneficiary
trusts are revoked
- distribution provisions
are altered to require payments to third parties
- suspicious signatures on cheques
or other documents, like credit card applications
- elder's signature appears
forged
- cheques /withdrawal slips
made out in one handwriting, elder's signature appears correct
- sudden increases in incurred
debt when elder appears unaware of transactions
- bank loans obtained
- large credit card or reserve
credit debts
- second mortgages obtained
- a fiduciary or other begins
handling the elder's affairs, withdrawing funds with no apparent benefit
to the elder
- bank statements and cancelled
cheques are no longer sent to the elder's home
- implausible reasons for banking
activity are given either by the elder or the person accompanying
him/her
Source: Commonwealth of Massachusetts
(1996). The Massachusetts Bank Reporting Project. Employee training
Manual.
Possible indicators
of neglect by care giver
- dirt, faecal/urine smell, or
other health and safety hazards in elder's living environment
- rashes, sores, lice on elder
- elder is inadequately clothed
- elder is malnourished or dehydrated
- elder has an untreated medical
condition
Possible indicators of self
neglect
- inability to manage personal
finances, e.g. hoarding, squandering, giving money away or failure
to pay bills
- inability to manage activities
of daily living, including personal care, shopping, meal preparation,
housework etc.
- suicidal acts, wanderings, refusing
medical attention, isolation, substance abuse
- lack of toilet facilities, utilities
or animal infested living quarters (dangerous conditions)
- rashes, sores, fecal/urine smell,
inadequate clothing, malnourished, dehydration etc.
- changes in intellectual functioning,
e.g. confusion, inappropriate or no response, disorientation to time
and place, memory failure, incoherence, etc.
- not keeping medical appointments
for serious illness
Possible indicators of abuse
from the care giver
- 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)
- attitudes of indifference or
anger toward the dependent person, or the obvious absence of assistance
- family member or caregiver blames
the elder (e.g. accusation that incontinence is a deliberate act)
- aggressive behaviour (threats,
insults, harassment) by caregiver toward the elder
- previous history of abuse of
others
- problems with alcohol or drugs
- inappropriate display of affection
by the caregiver
- flirtations, coyness, etc. as
possible indicators of inappropriate sexual relationship
- social isolation of family,
or isolation or restriction of activity of the older adult within
the family unit by the caregiver
- conflicting accounts of incidents
by family, supporters, or victim
- unwillingness or reluctance
by the caregiver to comply with caregiver to comply with service providers
in planning for care and implementation
- inappropriate or unwarranted
defensiveness by caregiver
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The withholding of information
or domination to make decisions. It is the denial of fundamental rights,
for example respect for dignity, personal privacy, freedom of thought,
belief, opinion, speech, expression and movement.
Older persons have the right to
freedom, security, accurate information and not be subjected to cruel,
inhuman or degrading treatment.
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Profile of the
victim
Profile of an abuser
- 85% of abusers are family members
or a person known to the victim.
- Feeling of loss of control,
depression, confusion, low self esteem, resentment, helplessness and
quilt as well as a lack of acknowledgement and support are all psycho-social
factors.
- Social factors can be described
as constant negative and aggressive communication, accompanied by
punishment through hurtful criticism or withdrawal, poor inter-personal
relationships, isolation, financial stress, inadequate housing, lack
of appropriate caring skills, lack of supervision, lack of knowledge
of needs and resources and absence of care facilities.
One cannot help but realize that
care of frail elderly persons places extreme demands and responsibilities
on a caregiver. In an institutional setting, the demand on care staff
can also be excessive, especially in the face of inadequate training,
supervision and knowledge, care equipment, plus long working hours
and staff shortages.
Should you wish to report cases
of abuse or would like to obtain more information, contact
Pretoria Care for the Aged
Tel: +27 12 320 3577
Fax: +27 12 320 3577
Email: info@prbs.co.za
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