What is Elder Abuse?

​If you encounter a person in direct threat of bodily harm call 911!

If you think you or someone else might be experiencing abuse, then it probably is abuse. Elder abuse occurs much too frequently and often goes unreported, especially among those who are physically or mentally incapacitated - meaning they can't help themselves or prevent themselves from being a victim. The National Adult Protective Services Association lists the types of elder abuse:

• Physical abuse: may include slapping, hitting, beating, bruising or causing someone physical pain, injury or suffering. This also could include confining an adult against his/her will, such as locking someone in a room or tying him/her to furniture.
• Emotional abuse: involves creating emotional pain, distress or anguish through the use of threats, intimidation or humiliation. This includes insults, yelling or threats of harm and/or isolation, or non-verbal actions such as throwing objects or glaring to project fear and/or intimidation.
• Neglect: includes failures by individuals to support the physical, emotional and social needs of adults dependent on others for their primary care. Neglect can take the form of withholding food, medications or access to health care professionals. For more information on neglect,click here.
• Isolation: involves restricting visits from family and friends or preventing contact via telephone or mail correspondence.
• Financial or material exploitation: includes the misuse, mishandling or exploitation of property, possessions or assets of adults. Also includes using another’s assets without consent, under false pretense, or through coercion and/or manipulation.
• Abandonment: involves desertion by anyone who assumed caregiving responsibilities for an adult.
• Sexual abuse: includes physical force, threats or coercion to facilitate non-consensual touching, fondling, intercourse or other sexual activities. This is particularly true with vulnerable adults who are unable to give consent or comprehend the nature of these actions.
• Self-neglect: involves seniors or adults with disabilities who fail to meet their own essential physical, psychological or social needs, which threatens their health, safety and well-being. This includes failure to provide adequate food, clothing, shelter and health care for one’s own needs. You can learn more about self-neglect here.

(Courtesy National Adult Protective Services Association)

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Some Warning Signs

Elder abuse can take many forms. Sometimes signs of abuse are "silent" or hard to detect, giving the perception that everything is ok. Following are some warning signs that a person may be experiencing abuse: 

• Cuts, fractures or bruises, especially if they are recurring
• Depression and/or anxiety
• Demonstration of fear
• Unexplained weight loss
• Missing glasses, teeth or hearing aids
• Personal belongings are missing
• Restrained - tied to bed or chair
• Unsanitary clothing, home conditions or other
• Housing that is not safe
• Locks on bedroom doors
• Unpaid bills​

More Indicators of Abuse from DARS

DARS Brochure - Abuse Hurts at Any Age

Resources

Click on the links below for more information about elder abuse & getting help.

Virginia Coalition for the Prevention of Elder Abuse

Click the logo above  for information on Adult Protective Services in your area, as well as many more informational resources about elder abuse and legal help.  Or call the 24-hour,
toll-free Adult Protective Services hotline at: (888) 832-3858

Long Term Care Ombudsman

Click photo above for information about how a Long Term Care Ombudsman can help adovocate for care in assisted living and nursing facilities. 

For the Ombudsman in our region (Kathi Walker) call 540-825-3100, X3416

Regional Ombudsman Info Brochure

Elder Abuse Fact Sheet

Click above for a Fact Sheet from the CDC for understanding Elder Abuse.

Awareness

From http://www.witness.org and http://www.ncoa.org | An Age for Justice; Elder Abuse in America, a video produced by the Elder Justice Now campaign, shows families and individuals whose lives have been turned upside down by elder abuse. ​

Click Button below for Information on the Elder Justice Act.

The Elder Justice Act