Physical Abuse & Mental Abuse of the Elderly

According to the National Center for Victims of Crime, as the population of baby boomers ages, incidents of elderly abuse increases. Elderly abuse is defined by the Administration On Aging as "any knowing, intentional, or negligent act by a caregiver or any other person that causes harm or a serious risk of harm to a vulnerable adult." Laws have been passed in all 50 states to help in the prevention of the abuse of the elderly.

Elderly Physical Abuse

Physical abuse of an elderly person takes place when a person of advanced years is physically mistreated by a caregiver or another person they are in contact with. Warning signs of this type of abuse include bruises, fractures, dislocations, burns, broken bones, welts, open wounds and abrasions. This is caused by physical assaults such as hitting, pinching, pushing, restraining and other inappropriate behaviors of violence by others that are inflicted on the elderly victim.

Elderly Sexual Abuse

Sexual abuse is another form of abuse that is inflicted upon some elderly people. Sexual abuse is considered to be non-consensual sexual contact with the victim, forcing the elderly person to undress, or even forcing them to look at pornographic materials against their will. Some signs that an elderly person has been sexually abused include pain, bleeding or itching around the genital area, or even sexually transmitted diseases. Because many elderly people are unable to verbalize what has happened to them, it is important for a caregiver or medical professional to examine them regularly.

Elderly Emotional Abuse

In the case of an elderly person being emotionally abused, there are signs to look for such as high anxiety, withdrawn moods, depression, confusion, disorientation and frequent crying. This kind of abuse is inflicted by behaviors such as threatening the elderly person, yelling at them, humiliating them and insulting them.

Elderly Abuse Statistics

While there are close to six million reported cases of abuse of elderly persons each year in the United States, according to the National Center for Victims of Crime, elderly women are more likely to suffer from abuse than elderly men, with 53% of elderly abuse victims being female.