Perpetrators include children, other family members, and spouse, as well as staff at nursing homes, assisted living, and other facilities.
Inflicting physical pain or injury upon an older adult.
Touching, fondling, intercourse, or any other sexual activity with an older adult, when the older adult is unable to understand, unwilling to consent, threatened, or physically forced.
Verbal assaults, threats of abuse, harassment, or intimidation.
Restraining or isolating an older adult, other than for medical reasons.
Denying an older adult medication, medical care, shelter, food, a therapeutic device, or other physical assistance, and exposing that person to the risk of physical, mental, or emotional harm except when the older, competent adult has expressed a desire to go without such care.
A caregiver’s failure to provide an older adult with life’s necessities, including, but not limited to, food, clothing, shelter, or medical care.
Denying an older adult medication, medical care, shelter, food, a therapeutic device, or other physical assistance, and exposing that person to the risk of physical, mental, or emotional harm except when the older, competent adult has expressed a desire to go without such care.
The misuse or withholding of an older adult’s resources by another.
In almost
of elder abuse and neglect incidents, the perpetrator is a family member
aged 60+ have experienced some form of elder abuse
Bruises, pressure marks, broken bones, abrasions, burns
Unexplained withdrawal from normal activities, a sudden change in alertness, or unusual depression; strained or tense relationships; frequent arguments between the caregiver and older adult
Sudden changes in financial situations
Bedsores, unattended medical needs, poor hygiene, unusual weight loss
Belittling, threats, or other uses of power and control by individuals
Call our Crisis Hotline at (941) 627-6000, or our Englewood Area Help Line at (941) 475-6465.
You can also text us at (941) 499-8534.
Approximately 1 in 10 Americans aged 60+ have experienced some form of elder abuse. Some estimates range as high as 5 million elders who are abused each year. One study estimated that only 1 in 14 cases of abuse are reported to authorities.
Abusers are both women and men. In almost 60% of elder abuse and neglect incidents, the perpetrator is a family member. Two thirds of perpetrators are adult children or spouses.
Social isolation and mental impairment such as dementia or Alzheimer’s disease are two factors. Recent studies show nearly half of those with dementia experienced abuse or neglect. Interpersonal violence also occurs at disproportionately higher rates among adults with disabilities.