General signs and indications of elder abuse include:


 Threatening, belittling, or controlling care- giver behavior that you witness


 Behavior from the elder that mimics de- mentia, such as rocking, sucking, or mumbling to oneself


 Bruises around breasts or genitals  Unexplained venereal disease or genital infections


 Unexplained vaginal or anal bleeding  Torn, stained, or bloody underclothing  Unusual weight loss, malnutrition, dehy- dration


 Untreated physical problems, such as bed sores


 Unsanitary living conditions: dirt, bugs, soiled bedding and clothes


 Being left dirty or unbathed  Unsuitable clothing or covering for the weather


 Unsafe living conditions (no heat or run- ning water; faulty electrical wiring, other fire hazards)


 Desertion of the elder at a public place


 Significant withdrawals from the elder’s accounts


 Sudden changes in the elder’s financial condition


 Items or cash missing from the senior’s household


 Suspicious changes in wills, power of attorney, titles, and policies


 Addition of names to the senior’s signa- ture card


 Unpaid bills or lack of medical care, alt- hough the elder has enough money to pay for them


 Financial activity the senior couldn’t have done, such as an ATM withdrawal when the account holder is bedridden


 Unnecessary services, goods, or sub- scriptions


 Duplicate billings for the same medical service or device


 Evidence of overmedication or under- medication


 Evidence of inadequate care when bills are paid in full


 Problems with the care facility: poorly trained, poorly paid, or insufficient staff; crowding; inadequate responses to questions about care


 Preventing elder abuse means doing three things:


Source: HelpGuide.org


 Listening to seniors and their caregivers  Intervening when you suspect elder abuse


 Educating others about how to recognize and report elder abuse


If the situation is serious, threatening, or dangerous, call 911 or the local police for immediate help.


Elder abuse helplines and hotlines: US: 1-800-677-1116 (Eldercare Locator).


UK: 0808 808 8141 or Ireland: 1800 940 010 (Action on Elder Abuse). Australia: 1300 651 192 (Elder Abuse Prevention Unit). South Africa: 080 111 2131 (Age In Action).


Canada: visit Alberta Elder Abuse for links to local resources.


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