Physical abuse is physical force or violence that results in bodily injury, pain, or impairment. It includes assault, battery, and inappropriate restraint. Perpetrators may be acquaintances, sons, daughters, grandchildren, or others. Physical abuse that is perpetrated by spouses or intimate partners in order to gain power and control over the victim is described in the section on domestic violence .
Perpetrators are likely to be unmarried, to live with their victims, and to be unemployed.
Some perpetrators have alcohol or substance abuse problems. Some are caregivers for those they abuse. As a group, victims of physical abuse do not differ significantly from seniors who are not abused. Indicators are signs or clues that abuse has occurred. Physical indicators may include injuries or bruises, while behavioral indicators are ways victims and abusers act or interact with each other.