Advice on Elder Abuse - Four Seasons Health Care

<strong>Advice</strong> on
Elder Abuse
FOUR SEASONS
H E A L T H C A R E
Caring
for you... personally, practically and professionally

What is elder abuse
We define elder abuse as: “A single or
repeated act or lack of appropriate action,
occurring within any relationship where there
is an expectation of trust, which causes harm
or distress to an older person”.
What happens and who
is involved
Abuse can be seen in many ways, including:
Physical abuse
Psychological abuse
Financial abuse
Sexual abuse
Neglect
Abuse can occur anywhere: someone’s own
home, a carer’s home, day care, residential
care, or hospital.
Both older men and women can be at risk
of being abused. The abuser is usually well
known to the person being abused. They
may be a partner, child or relative, friend
or neighbour, paid or volunteer care worker,
health/social worker, or other professional.
Older people may also be abused by a
person they care for. Often, the people who
abuse older people are exploiting a special
relationship. Very rarely is the abuser
someone who provides a family caring role.
Why does it happen
There are many reasons why abuse occurs
and these may vary with each incident.
Many of its causes are not yet fully
understood. Abuse may range from a
spontaneous outburst to systematic
premeditated assaults on an older person.

At home some of the causes may include:
Poor quality long term relationships.
A carer’s inability to provide the level
of care required.
A pattern of family violence exists or
has existed in the past.
A carer with mental or physical health
problems.
Social isolation of the family member
In other settings abuse may be a symptom
of a poorly run establishment. It is also likely
to occur when staff are inadequately trained,
poorly supervised, have little support from
management or work in isolation.
What are the signs
Physical abuse:
Symptoms can include: cuts, lacerations,
wounds, bruises, black eyes, burns or
broken bones, untreated injuries,
poor skin condition, dehydration and/or
malnourishment without illness-related cause,
loss of weight. Inappropriate use of
medication, overdosing or under-dosing.
An older person telling you they have been
hit, slapped, kicked, or mistreated.
Psychological abuse
Symptoms can include: helplessness,
hesitation to talk openly, confusion or
disorientation. Anger without apparent cause,
sudden change in behaviour, person is upset
or agitated, unusual behaviour (sucking,
biting, or rocking), being extremely withdrawn
and non communicative or non responsive.
An older person telling you they are being
verbally or emotionally abused.

Aggressive behaviour by family member
toward the older person. Inappropriate
display of affection by the family member
that might be possible indicators of
inappropriate relationships. Indications of
confinement (closed off in a room, tied to
furniture). Obvious absence of assistance.
What to do and who
to contact
Whether you are personally coping with
abuse or whether you are concerned about
the abuse of another - you are not alone.
Abusers very often exploit the fact that
someone is (or feels) isolated. Very often,
they will rely on someone not disclosing,
or the natural disbelief that many people
have when considering elder abuse.
It is important to protect yourself if you are
an older person. It is also important that
neighbours, friends, families and practitioners
are alert to the possibility of abuse and are
therefore ready to act on concerns or
suspicions. Often abusers are only successful
because they keep you quiet or stop others
from finding out what is happening to you.
It is therefore wise to:
Maintain contact with any friends or
neighbours if you move to a new address.
If you cannot go to see them, try to write
letters regularly telling them about your new
life and what is happening to you. Encourage
friends to visit you at home and try to join a
local group or club. The more interaction you
have with other people the less chance there
will be for you to become isolated.
Have regular medical or dental appointments.
Dentists and GP’s are people who should be
able to talk to you, or spot signs that you
are being abused.

Financial abuse
Signs can include: signatures on cheques
etc. that do not resemble the older person’s
signature. Unexplained withdrawal of large
sums of money by a person accompanying
the older person, the inclusion of additional
names on an older person’s bank account.
Changes to wills. The sudden appearance of
previously uninvolved relatives claiming their
rights to an older person’s affairs or
possessions. Lack of amenities, such as TV,
personal grooming items, appropriate
clothing that the older person should be
able to afford. Disappearance of funds or
possessions.
Sexual abuse
Signs can include: bruises, unexplained
venereal disease or infection. Torn or stained
underclothing. An older person telling you
they have been sexually assaulted or raped.
Neglect
Symptoms include: smells, or other health
and safety hazards in older person’s living
environment. Rashes or sores and older
person is inadequately clothed.
Malnourishment. Untreated medical
conditions, poor personal hygiene or
unsanitary and unclean conditions.
Family abuse
It is rare to uncover abuse by a family
member who provides direct support to an
older person. It is more likely to be a son,
daughter or a partner who provides no
practical or emotional support. However,
symptoms can include: The older person
may not be allowed to speak for themselves,
or see others, without the presence of the
family member (suspected abuser) being
present.

Make sure that people are aware that you
know where you have put important
documents and always open and post your
own mail. If you have to rely on others to
post your mail then try to use more than
one person. Don’t leave cash, jewellery, or
valuable possessions lying about. If someone
asks you to sign a Power of Attorney, always
get independent advice to make sure you
understand what it means.
For further
information
contact Action
on Elder Abuse
on Freephone
0808 808 8141
FOUR SEASONS
H E A L T H C A R E
Emerson Court, Alderley Road,
Wilmslow, Cheshire SK9 1NX
Tel: 01625 417800
Fax: 01625 417827
E-mail: fourseasons@fshc.co.uk
Website: www.fshc.co.uk