Types and Signs of Elder Abuse You Should Know About
Elder abuse is intentional, harmful behavior or neglect towards an elder adult, often by someone they depend on, trust, and have an emotional bond with. Identifying the various types and signs of abuse is the best way to protect vulnerable older people against physical, emotional, financial, or other harm.
Riverside and Perris, California, are known for their scenic neighborhoods, significant senior population, and beautiful Southern California landscapes. It’s important to remain aware of challenges that may affect vulnerable populations, especially the elderly.
In the communities of Riverside and Perris, California, paying attention to and understanding the common types of elder abuse is vitally important, and being aware of the services available in your area is crucial. Those affected may wish to consult professionals who have dealt with elder abuse cases in Riverside and Perris, California, so that can be assured of proper interventions and support.
How Can Elder Abuse Happen?
Elder abuse can take many forms and each comes with its own characteristics:
- Physical Abuse: This involves causing physical harm through hitting, slapping, excessive or inappropriate use of restraint, or rough handling. Physical signs can include bruises, fractures, and other unexplained injuries or bumps.
- Emotional or Psychological Abuse: Emotional or psychological abuse can include verbal abuse, threats, harassment, and social isolation, or anything that causes mental pain and harm. Victims of psychological abuse might seem withdrawn, anxious, or fearful.
- Financial Abuse: Taking an elder’s money, property, or assets without their permission or misusing them equates to financial abuse. It may involve scams, forged signatures, or forcing an elder to sign paperwork.
- Neglect: Neglect means not providing care, food, hygiene, medical care, or protection when the elder is in need or at risk. Signs of neglect may involve malnutrition, poor hygiene, lack of medical care, poor health, or unsafe or unsanitary living conditions.
- Sexual Abuse: Sexual contact with an elder who does not or cannot give consent. Signs of sexual abuse might include bruising around the genitals, recurrent unexplained sexually transmitted infections, or withdrawal.
What Signs Could Indicate Possible Elder Abuse?
Detecting elder abuse is difficult because the elder may not or cannot tell anyone. Pay attention to signs and patterns in behavior or physical condition, which are essential:
- Unexplained injuries or injuries that have occurred repeatedly.
- Poor personal hygiene, visible malnutrition.
- Aggressive, threatening, and controlling caregiver behavior.
- Elder expresses fear and reluctance to be alone with individuals.
Where Can You Get Help for Elder Abuse in Riverside and Perris?
If an elder is suspected of mistreatment, it is essential to contact the appropriate adult protective services or law enforcement agency to help with the elder’s safety. There are attorneys and advocacy groups in Riverside and Perris with experience in elder abuse, to advise you on your civil and/or criminal options.
Key Points
- Elder abuse includes physical, emotional, financial, and sexual abuse.
- Signs of elder abuse can be physical injuries, changes in emotional state, unusual financial transactions, or changes in care.
- Seniors in Riverside and Perris, California, can report and get help from local services for elderly abuse.
- Timely action will help protect the elder and hold abusers accountable.
- Some professionals can help with intervention and legal needs related to elder abuse.
