Abuse is not something that is restricted to nursing homes, or an act only carried out against the elderly. Anyone at any age can be the victim of abuse, and it is vital that you understand the signs so that you can provide or seek the necessary help immediately. When an individual is suffering from abuse, they are likely to feel anxious about seeking help, or in some instances feel as though they do not have substantial grounds to make a valid case against another individual. However, it is wise to keep in mind that abusers will often use manipulative tactics to put individuals off from seeking help, and in some cases, force them to believe that such abuse is the result of their own behaviour. As individuals age, they become much more frail, and less able and likely to stand up for themselves. Abuse can manifest itself in many forms, and bruises or marks on an individual’s body may not always be present. Unfortunately, many people will take advantage of an elderly individual’s state of mind, loneliness or weak physical stance, leaving them vulnerable to abuse. What Are the Different Types of Abuse? Abuse can take place in many ways. When thinking of abuse, we often think of physical abuse where the victim is hit by another person with or without use of an implement. However, there are several other types of abuse the elderly can become victim to. By understanding the types of abuse that can take place, such cases can be spotted sooner, ensuring the victim is able to be safely removed from the situation they are in, as well as receive the appropriate care and help they need for both their mental and physical wellbeing. Physical Abuse As previously mentioned, physical abuse results in physical pain or injury impairment. In addition to this, physical abuse can also include the improper use of restraint, using inappropriate force to hold or handle an individual. Furthermore, physical abuse can also refer to unnecessarily confining an individual to a space, and not allowing them to leave. When an individual is faced with abuse such as this, they can be left with both mental and physical scars, severely impacting the way they live their life, and the way they interact with others. Physical abuse may also refer to the improper use of drugs. Abusers may either lessen the required dose of medical drugs which may result in an individual being left in pain, or may even increase the dosage, leaving an individual unaware of their surroundings and how they are being treated. Emotional or Phycological Abuse Emotional abuse can be acted out in a wide variety of ways. It is a common misconception that law suits can only be pursued if the victim has physical marks to prove that they have been hurt by another individual. However, by seeking help and discussing your case with a specialist neglect lawyer, you can take appropriate action and seek justice for the distress incurred. Emotional or psychological abuse can refer to causing emotional pain or distress and can be manifested in the way an individual speaks or treats another. Aspects of emotional or psychological abuse may include: Unnecessary shouting to cause intimidation Threats Using hurtful language to cause humiliation Ridiculing Being unresponsive to an individual’s requests/ignoring them Tormenting Isolating an individual from their friends or family, leaving them feeling lonely or helpless Sexual Elder Abuse There are various forms of sexual abuse. The most widely known form of sexual abuse is touching an elderly person without their consent, or carrying out physical sex acts, without their permission. Other forms of sexual abuse include forcing the individual to watch sex acts, or presenting them with pornographic material. In addition to this, forcing an individual to undress can also be regarded as a form of sexual abuse. Many individuals feel daunted by the prospect of talking about sexual abuse, as such conversations can be embarrassing and cause a great deal of distress. Individuals subject to abuse often end up feeling as though the abuse they have suffered is their own fault. However, it is essential to remember that the abuser is always in the wrong, and legal charges can be brought against them. Financial Exploitation Many elderly people live off a retirement fund they have built up over their entire life, making them targets for financial abuse. Just because an individual may not be using their credit cards or accounts does not give another the right to make use of them. By using an individual’s money or property without their permission, you are financially exploiting them. Financial exploitation may be carried out by an individual in charge of caring for the elderly individual, or by an external scam artist that does not know the individual. Financial Exploitation can include: Stealing money incoming funds or property Misusing an individual’s personal accounts, credit cards or cheques Forging an individual’s signature for financial gain Pretending to be the individual (identity theft) for financial gain Financial abuse is not always carried out by someone close to the individual, and can also be carried out by those with no personal relation to the abuse victim. Certain scams that target elderly people include: Investment fraud Emails or letters claiming an individual has won a prize and must pay a fee to retrieve it Individuals setting up fake charities to claim payments from another person Where can Abuse Happen? Abuse can take place anywhere, including: within the confines of an individual’s home, within a nursing home or long term health facility. You may be surprised to realise that it is often grown up children, family members or those placed in a position of care for the individual, including care assistants that are often found to the be the abusers in an elderly abuse case. The thought of a loved one being abused is very harrowing, and this can often be the reason for many signs being dismissed in the first instance. However, if you see any signs of abuse, in any capacity, you should always follow up your concerns. Being cautious is the best approach from such sensitive cases. Recognising the Signs of Abuse When abuse cases are reported, it is often discovered that the abuse has spanned over a long period of time. In order to prevent great physical or psychological damage, it is of paramount importance that the case is reported as soon as possible to the necessary authorities so investigations can begin, and the victim can be removed from harm. Several signs of abuse are often looked over, being passed off as symptoms of dementia, confusion or frailty. However, There are several signs you can look out for to prevent elderly abuse in a nursing home. When you entrust trained nursing home care assistants to take care of the needs of an elderly relative, the thought of your family member not receiving the care you hoped they would can be greatly distressing. It is important not to dismiss signs or claims of abuse by the elderly individual, simply because the caregiver expresses that there are no problems or issues with the standard of care being given. Physical Elderly Abuse Warning Signs Physical abuse is often easier to spot, than emotional abuse. However, despite this, certain signs are often dismissed as simple trips and falls, or due to the elderly individual’s fragile state. However, keeping track of physical marks present on the elderly individual’s body can help you build a picture of how they may have been gained. Common signs include: Broken bones, dislocations or sprains. Injuries without explanation, including: bruises, grazes, scars or welts. It is important to look out for injuries that appear symmetric on either side of the body, as such signs can be the result of physical restraint or manhandling. Remember, such symmetry is very unlikely to occur in accidental injury. The caregiver refusing to leave the room when you visit the individual, or not allowing you to help with the removal of jackets, or outer wear. Broken jewellery or glasses. Warning Signs of Emotional Elderly Abuse Of course, physical abuse is not the only type of abuse that can be suffered, emotional abuse can cause just as much harm to an individual. Consequently, it is vital that the signs are spotted early. Common signs of Emotional Abuse Include: Loss of confidence in the elder person. Mumbling or comforting oneself with rocking motions or sucking on thumbs or clothing. You may also witness belittling, controlling, or threatening behaviour from the caregiver. Warning Signs of Sexual Elder Abuse Nobody likes to think of their loved one being abused in any way. Some signs of abuse are a lot easier to spot than others. Depending on the type of sexual abuse carried out, there are a number of signs you can look out for, ensuring you seek legal help as soon as possible. Bleeding from the vagina or anus that is unexplained Bruises surrounding areas such as the breast or genitals. Torn clothing Stained or blood stained clothing. Warning Signs of Financial Exploitation Financial exploitation can not only cause serious damage to an individual’s finances, it can also cause an individual great confusion and financial loss. Individuals suffering from dementia are a particularly vulnerable target for financial exploitation, but as with any kind of abuse, spotting the signs early is incredibly important. You may notice: Unusually frequent withdrawals being taken from a bank account Large sums of money being withdrawn Sudden changes to legal documents, including a Will Unpaid bills, despite their being money available for such outgoings Missing property The purchasing of unnecessary goods or services that the individual would not usually want or need Financial transactions the elderly individual couldn’t have made. I.e. an instore purchase from a store that the individual would not be able to travel to. Preventing Elderly Abuse If you discover that your elderly relative is being subjected to abuse, acting immediately can help you minimise effects of the abuse and seek justice. However, there are several steps you can take to prevent abuse from occurring. Listening By listening to the elderly individual and the caregiver’s interactions, you are able to spot any signs of manipulation. Further to this, by listening, you are able to ensure your elderly relative and their caregiver establish a friendly and respectful relationship. Taking Acting If you spot any form of abuse, it is of paramount importance that you report your suspicions straight away. By taking action you reassure the individual that they have a case to make, and give them the chance to inform you of the type of abuse they have been victim to. By visiting the elderly family member as often as possible, you not only give the caregiver a break from the day to day strains they may face, you also ensure the elderly individual doesn’t feel isolated or unable to speak to anyone outside of their immediate circle.
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