Abuse Senior Issues Elder Abuse National estimates place one in 20 older Americans as victims of abuse each year. It is estimated that only one in 14 abuse cases is ever reported. Elder abuse encompasses several types of abuse, including physical, sexual, and psychological abuse, neglect and financial exploitation. Elder abuse is so tragic because in many cases the abuser is in a position of trust, as a caregiver, a guardian or conservator, a trustee, or even a family member.
Many people don t know the symptoms, and in other cases, the abuse is covered up.
This section will address types of abuse and symptoms associated with each. Physical abuse is usually the most obvious because it includes hitting, pushing, cutting, and other acts of violence that often result in bruises, welts, burns, cuts, scars, broken bones, and internal injuries. Sexual abuse includes rape and other nonconsensual sexual contact and may result in similar symptoms. Psychological abuse involves provoking fear of physical harm or bodily injury through verbal abuse and may include derogatory remarks, threats, and ridicule. Although not physical in nature, inflicting psychological abuse can be as harmful as physical abuse.