In this article, I'll explain why you should. I'll also outline types of elder abuse plus risk factors, warning flags, and strategies you can use to protect your older patients from abuse. But elder abuse isn't strictly about broken bones and bruises. In fact, physical abuse accounts for only one in four cases, although a victim may be subjected to more than one type. Neglect typically occurs when a caregiver fails to provide an older person with adequate food, clothing, shelter, medical care, or assistance with activities of daily living.
Financial abuse is the misuse of someone's property and resources by another person.
Hitting, slapping, restraining, molesting, biting, burning, pushing, or pulling all qualify as physical abuse. But they believe that most cases aren't reported to law enforcement or human service agencies, so sizing up the problem is difficult. At age 88 and depending on her son for her physical needs, Mrs. Osterholt has several risk factors. Women over 80 who need partial or total assistance with activities of daily living, such as bathing, dressing, and meal preparation, are the likeliest victims. Most abuse is inflicted by relatives and occurs at home.