A Guide for Families, Spouses, and Caregivers
Understanding and Preventing Elder Abuse
Presented by Angel Health Care Service
According to the National Institute on Aging, hundreds of thousands of older adults experience elder abuse each year across the United States. This abuse comes in many forms—physical, emotional, financial, and neglect—and often goes unnoticed by loved ones and caregivers.
At Angel Health Care Service, we believe every older adult deserves to live in a safe, respectful, and nurturing environment. By learning to recognize the signs of elder abuse and knowing how to respond, you can play a vital role in protecting the older adults in your life.
What Is Elder Abuse?
Elder abuse can take many forms, and often more than one type may occur at the same time. Awareness is the first step in prevention. Common types include:
- Physical Abuse – The use of physical force causing injury, pain, or impairment (e.g., hitting, pushing, misuse of restraints, force-feeding).
- Emotional/Psychological Abuse – Actions that cause mental anguish, including verbal attacks, threats, intimidation, isolation, or treating an older adult disrespectfully.
- Sexual Abuse – Nonconsensual sexual contact, including with individuals who cannot give consent due to cognitive impairment.
- Neglect – Failure to provide basic needs such as food, water, shelter, hygiene, and medical care.
- Self-Neglect – When an older adult cannot or does not attend to their own health and safety needs.
- Financial Exploitation – Unauthorized use of an older adult’s finances or property, including scams, theft, coercion, and misuse of assets.
- Abandonment – Desertion by a caregiver or responsible party.
Where Does Elder Abuse Occur?
Elder abuse is not limited to nursing homes or institutions. In fact, most elder abuse happens in the home, often by family members, spouses, or trusted caregivers.
Other common environments include:
- Long-term care facilities – Abuse may come from staff or other residents.
- Hospitals and medical clinics – Overlooked or ignored care needs can contribute to abuse.
- Community settings – Seniors may encounter scams or manipulation in public spaces or social gatherings.
Abuse can be hidden in plain sight, making it crucial to remain alert across all environments where seniors live, visit, or receive care.
Warning Signs of Elder Abuse
If you’re a family member, spouse, or caregiver, stay attentive to warning signs in both behavior and physical appearance.
Physical Indicators:
- Unexplained bruises, burns, cuts, or fractures
- Signs of restraint (e.g., marks on wrists or ankles)
- Frequent ER visits or suspicious injuries
- Untreated bedsores or poor hygiene
- Broken or missing medical devices (glasses, walkers, etc.)
Behavioral Indicators:
- Sudden withdrawal from normal activities
- Changes in mood: fearfulness, anxiety, depression
- Sleep disturbances or confusion
- Hesitance to speak openly, especially around certain individuals
- Implausible or inconsistent explanations for injuries
Caregiver Red Flags:
- Overprotectiveness or isolation of the older adult
- Indifference or aggression toward the senior
- Substance abuse or personal mental health issues
- Constant complaints about cost of care despite sufficient resources
- Describing the older adult as “difficult” or “crazy”
Environmental Clues:
- Unsafe or unsanitary living conditions
- Lack of heat, water, or cleanliness
- Missing essentials (hearing aids, dentures, medications)
- Unpaid bills or unusual banking activity despite sufficient funds
Why Older Adults May Hide Abuse
Many older adults do not report abuse due to fear, shame, or dependency on their abuser. It’s important to understand these barriers:
- Fear of retaliation or worsening abuse
- Shame or embarrassment, especially when the abuser is a loved one
- Loyalty to the abuser, particularly if the relationship is longstanding
- Worry over losing care or housing
- Cognitive impairment that limits the ability to recognize or report abuse
- Social isolation or a belief that “no one will believe me”
- Cultural or generational norms that discourage speaking out about family problems
How You Can Help
If you suspect elder abuse, it’s essential to respond thoughtfully and promptly:
- Talk in a private, safe setting with your loved one. Let them speak openly without fear.
- Document your concerns with specific details: dates, times, incidents, and observations.
- Report your concerns to your state’s Adult Protective Services or contact the Eldercare Locator at 1-800-677-1116 for guidance.
- In urgent situations, call 911 or involve local law enforcement.
- Consult professionals, such as healthcare providers, social workers, or elder law attorneys.
- Continue offering emotional support, even if your loved one is reluctant to take immediate action.
Your presence, awareness, and willingness to act can be a lifeline to a senior in distress.
How Angel Health Care Service Can Help
At Angel Health Care Service, the well-being of older adults is at the heart of everything we do. Our professional in-home caregivers are trained to recognize and prevent signs of elder abuse, provide respectful personal care, and promote safe and supportive living environments.
We offer:
- In-home safety assessments
- Personalized care plans based on client needs
- Caregiver supervision and ongoing training
- Support for families navigating complex elder care concerns
- Peace of mind for long-distance loved ones
All caregivers are thoroughly screened, supervised, and compassionate, ensuring every client receives the dignity, protection, and quality care they deserve.
To learn more about our services or schedule a free in-home consultation, contact your local Angel Health Care Service office or visit our website.
Let’s Keep Our Loved Ones Safe
You have the power to make a difference. Elder abuse is preventable when families, caregivers, and communities stay informed and take action. Let’s work together to ensure every older adult lives with safety, respect, and peace of mind.