What Does Elder Abuse Look Like?
Updated: June 2024
Reading Time: 6 minutes
There are many interpretations of what elder abuse is. Most of us think of violence, but elder abuse can actually comprise many things, such as:
- Physical abuse – under or overmedicating; physical restraints; striking
- Financial abuse – forging signatures; stealing; not paying rent; coercion to lend money or to pay for someone else’s things. With the rise of online banking and digital payments, seniors are more vulnerable to online scams and identity theft. Common scams like the “grandparent scam” or romance scams target older adults.
- Psychological abuse – intimidation; treating them like a child; forced isolation; condescending behavior or words
- Sexual abuse – unwanted touching; being forced to commit acts; no consent
- Neglect – withholding the necessities of life such as water, food, personal care, clothing or medication
- Digital abuse – This involves using technology to harass, stalk, or financially exploit seniors. Examples include online scams targeting seniors, using smart home devices to monitor or control their activities, or sharing embarrassing photos online.
- Self-Neglect – This is when an older adult engages in behavior that threatens their own health or safety, often due to mental or physical impairment.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO) as of 2021, around 1 in 6 people aged 60 years and older experienced some form of abuse in community settings during the past year.
The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated elder abuse. Lockdowns increased isolation, making it harder for abuse to be detected. The pandemic also increased financial pressures on families, potentially leading to more financial exploitation. The tragic events in some Canadian long-term care homes during COVID-19 led to increased scrutiny. The 2021 report by the Canadian Armed Forces highlighted serious issues of neglect and abuse.
Most of the violence perpetrated upon seniors are by people in positions of trust such as a family member, friend, or healthcare professional. Abuse occurs at the residential home, or in the nursing home of the senior.
When an elder has dementia or reduced mental capacity, this can make them more vulnerable to abuse but also complicate consent and reporting issues.
Due to the shame that elders may feel, some will not reach out for help or may not physically be able to, so it is up to loved ones and healthcare providers to spot some of the signs of abuse:
- Dehydration; poor hygiene
- Anxiety; depression; fear in relation to a particular person
- Unexplained injuries
- Sudden decrease of funds
What Can Be Done?
A good course of action for any senior is to expand your support team so that there are more people to turn to for advice – that could be professionals such as doctors and lawyers, or even moving into a retirement residence where there is staff and a community of peers for social support.
It’s Not Right was developed by The Centre for Research & Education on Violence against Women & Children to adapt their campaign to include violence against older adults. In it, they discuss what you can do to help if you suspect an older adult is being abused.
3 Things That You Can Do
According to It’s Not Right!, you can have a SNCit conversation with a person you’re concerned about
(SEE-it, NAME-it, CHECK-it) :
- SEE it! Recognize the warning signs of abuse; and don’t ignore it. Learn the warning signs, and learn of the different types of abuse that can be perpetrated against seniors. Sometimes the warning signs are not that obvious. Document any possible abuse that you see, along with dates.
- NAME it! If it looks or sounds like abuse, it might be. Talk to the senior about your concerns. “I am worried about you” shows your seniors that you care and are concerned without placing blame anywhere. Talk to them alone and if safe to do so. Describe only the facts of what you’ve witnessed. Your choice of words are important, for example, “I saw her take money from your wallet,” versus “I saw her stealing money from your wallet.” Less judgemental language.
- CHECK it! What can you do?
Ask the senior questions.
Some good ones to ask are:
- Do You Feel Safe?
- Is anyone hurting you or making you uncomfortable?
- What do you want to do? How can I help you?
Consult with experts and doctors about abuse, and what you can do to help. If you believe the senior is in danger, immediately call the police. Be patient and supportive – it’s difficult for anyone to talk about an abusive situation; now add in some possible health limitations like stroke victims have, it may take even longer to get their voice heard. Let them know that you are available to listen and help. Acknowledge the difficulty of the situation, reassure them that it is not their fault and that they are not alone.
You can also offer to go with them to talk to someone, or report to police, or find counselling. The decision must be up to the mistreated person to decide next steps. Do not force, or feel that you need to “rescue” them. Do not make decisions for them if you are concerned that the older adult is incapable of making informed decisions. Discuss with your local health centre for seniors and ask them for advice on how to best support.
Role of Technology
While technology can be a tool for abuse, also mention how it can help prevent abuse. Video chats can reduce isolation, wearable devices can detect falls, and banking apps can send alerts for unusual transactions. ALWAYS keep lines of communication open – let them know they can talk to you anytime.
For more information, download this online brochure entitled What You Can Do When Abuse or Neglect Is Happening to an Older Adult in Your Life:
http://itsnotright.ca/assets/documents/INR_What_Your_Can_Do.pdf
It’s important to let any of your senior relatives know that elder abuse does exist, and there is no shame or repercussion for reporting it. They may not even know that there are resources available and people that can help should something occur.
Increased efforts to train healthcare professionals, law enforcement, and financial advisors to recognize signs of elder abuse should also be something that our society should invest in. The Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists and the Canadian Nurses Association have developed resources and training programs to help their members recognize and respond to elder abuse. In 2019, the Canadian Bankers Association launched a campaign to help seniors and their caregivers identify and prevent financial abuse. Many Canadian banks now have specialized teams to handle suspected cases of elder financial abuse.
Every senior has a right to a safe, healthy, and secure environment; and is entitled to respect. Age is not a burden or a fault, but rather a privilege and an honor.
For help and resources, click the links:
https://www.canada.ca/en/employment-social-development/campaigns/elder-abuse/resources-province-territory.html#bc – BRITISH COLUMBIA
