Elder abuse, like most domestic abuse, can take many forms: physical, sexual, emotional, psychological, and financial as well as neglect, abandonment and even self-neglect. It is estimated that elder abuse costs Americans tens of billions of dollars annually in health care, social service, and legal costs as well as lost income and assets. In addition, there is a tremendous emotional impact on the elders who are subjected to the abuse and on their family members who are already struggling with the pressures and possibly even guilt about the senior care choices they have made for their loved one. These family members may be particularly devastated when elder abuse is uncovered and is perpetrated by someone they trusted to provide home care to their loved one.
Given that there is likely significant underreporting, it is estimated that as many as five million older Americans may be victims of abuse, neglect, or exploitation every year. Unfortunately, those receiving home care from caregivers and family members are often most at risk. Elder abuse threatens the health, dignity, and economic security of millions of older Americans.
There are many warning signs of abuse depending on the type of abuse being perpetrated. They may include:
- The elder shows signs of physical trauma, such as bruises and lacerations, broken bones, or broken eyeglasses. Often, if asked about the injuries, the senior will give an explanation that doesn’t match the injury itself.
- The caregiver providing the senior care will not allow anyone else to be alone with the elder.
- Unexplained bruising, bleeding or infection that may indicate sexual abuse.
- The elder acts withdrawn, depressed, and afraid to talk openly.
- The elder becomes difficult to get in touch with, by phone or in person, because he or she is being isolated from family, friends or community members by the person providing the senior care.
- The senior’s hygiene declines and they have bad odor or a dirty appearance.
- The elder appears malnourished or dehydrated, or their living conditions seem unsanitary.
- Withdrawals have been made from the senior’s bank account when either the senior cannot access the bank account because they are receiving at home care, or the signatures on the checks or withdrawal slips do not match their signature on other documents.
- The senior changes their will suddenly in a suspicious way, such as changing the beneficiary to a caregiver who is not part of the family.
Anyone who suspects that someone they care about may be a victim of elder abuse should report their suspicions immediately. To report suspected elder abuse, neglect, or exploitation in Florida call:
- 1-800-962-2873 (For suspected elder mistreatment in the home or in a facility).
- 1-800-453-5145 (For suspected elder mistreatment in the home, TDD/TTY access).
Golden Heart Senior Care of Dayton, OH provides home care to the following cities:
Beavercreek, Bellbrook, Brookville, Centerville, Clayton, Dayton, Eaton, Englewood, Enon, Farmersville, Franklin, Germantown, Huber Heights, Kettering, Lebanon, Lewisburg, Mason, Miami Township, Miamisburg, Middletown, Monroe, Moraine, New Carlisle, Oakwood, Riverside, Springboro, Springfield, Sugarcreek Township, Sugarcreek, Tipp City, Troy, Union, Vandalia, Washington Township, Waynesville, West Carrollton, West Chester, West Milton, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Xenia, & Yellow Springs, Ohio
