When someone with power over an elderly person intentionally harms them or puts them at serious risk of harm, their actions — or lack of action — are considered elder abuse.
Each year, hundreds of thousands of adults over the age of 60 are abused, neglected, or financially exploited.
Abuse can happen in many places, including the older person's home, a family member's house, an assisted living facility, or a nursing home. The mistreatment of older adults can be by family members, strangers, health care providers, caregivers, or friends.
TYPES OF ELDER ABUSE
• Physical abuse –
physical harm including slapping, shoving, hitting, kicking, aggressive or rough handling with bathing and dressing, etc.
• Emotional abuse –
yelling, saying mean things, threatening, keeping the person from seeing friends and loved ones, etc.
• Neglect –
when the caregiver ignores the needs of their patient or loved one.
• Abandonment
is leaving a senior alone without planning for his or her care including helping with medications and meals.
• Sexual abuse
involves a caregiver forcing an older adult to watch or be part of sexual acts.
• Financial abuse
happens when money or belongings are stolen. It can include forging checks, taking someone else’s retirement and Social Security benefits, or using another person’s credit cards and bank accounts.
It also includes changing names on a will, bank account, life insurance policy, or title to a house without permission from the older person.
Even someone you’ve never met can steal your financial information using the telephone or email. Be careful about sharing any financial information over the phone or online—you don’t know who will use it.
• Healthcare fraud
can be committed by doctors, hospital staff, and other healthcare workers. It includes overcharging, billing twice for the same service, falsifying Medicaid or Medicare claims, or charging for care that wasn’t provided. Older adults and caregivers should keep an eye out for this type of fraud.
If you feel any of this is happening to you or a loved one, please call us at (307) 358-4800.
