The statistics are grim. In Colorado, more than 4,000 incidents of adult abuse, exploitation or neglect are reported each year to county departments of social services and long-term care ombudsmen. Many more go unreported. Victims are at-risk adults age 18 or older who, because of age or disability, are unable to protect themselves and have no one to protect them. More than 70 percent are older than 60 and are physically impaired or have some form of dementia.
Younger victims have physical or developmental disabilities.
For many, the abuse, exploitation or neglect comes at the hands of a caregiver or family member. Often, the victim is totally dependent on the abuser and is afraid to complain for fear of reprisal. The abuse may be physical, emotional, exploitation or neglect. Warning signs of physical abuse are frequent injuries such as bruises, burns or broken bones, especially when the explanation for the injury does not seem plausible. Symptoms of emotional abuse include a sudden dramatic change in the victim's behavior, such as withdrawal or depression, or a caretaker who won't let the victim speak for him or herself or who caretaker scolds, insults or threatens the person.