| Ever year, it is estimated that there are up to 5,000,000 cases of elder abuse, with most cases going unreported. As Alabama’s elder population continues to grow, the number of elder abuse cases increases along with it. What is elder abuse? As seniors grow older, they generally become more physically frail and less capable of taking care of themselves. As a result, these elders turn to, and place their trust in, the people around them such as family or professional caregivers, financial advisor, Alabama nursing homes and assisted living centers. |
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While most of the people these elders turn to can be trusted, there will be a smaller population of individuals or groups that will take advantage of the elder’s age and/or illnesses.
There are many different forms of elder abuse. Abuse can be physical, financial, emotional/psychological, sexual, or neglect/self-neglect. The most common types are below:
| Physical Abuse |
Physical abuse is when an individual intentionally inflicts physical harm on an elderly person in Alabama. The types of physical abuse include, but is not limited to, punching, hitting, slapping, kicking, biting and throwing objects at an elderly person. |
Signs and SymptomsWhile there are many signs and symptoms that may reveal cases of elder abuse in Alabama, the following are the most common:
- Bruises or discoloration of the skin
- Burn marks around the face, arms, stomach or legs
- Broken bones
- Unusual cuts or scars on the body
- Inconsistent explanation of or repetitive occurrences of the injuries
- Too much time passing from the time the injury occurred to the time it was reported and treated
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| Financial Abuse / Exploitation |
One of the more common forms of abuse in Alabama, financial elder abuse involves the improper use of an elderly person’s money or personal property such as a home or a car. Financial abuse is usually committed by either a caregiver or a scam artist. |
Signs and Symptoms
- Unusual bank transactions or money transfers
- Unauthorized use of credit cards or checks
- Caregiver only expresses concerns over the elder’s monetary situation and never physical/mental state
- Personal items such as jewelry, clothing or appliances go missing
- Signed complex documents that the elder is forced to sign, without the presence of someone truly trustworthy to the elder
- Inability to pay for bills or basic necessities such as food and water
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| Emotional / Psychological Abuse |
Pscyhological abuse is when an individual directly or indirectly inflicts psychological or emotional harm on an elder person in Alabama. The types of emotional or psychological abuse include, but is not limited to, intimidating, threatening, screaming, yelling, ignoring, humilitating, isolating or terrorizing of an elderly person. |
Signs and Symptoms
- Constant fear of a particular person, environment or situation
- Hopelessness or helplessness, or thoughts of suicide
- Lack of eye contact or feelings of inferiority
- Excessive anger or agitation
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| Neglect / Self-Neglect |
Neglect is when a caregiver responsible for the elderly person in Alabama, fails to provide adequate food, water, shelter and medicine to the elder, which results in physical or emotional harm, exploitation or even death. |
Signs and Symptoms
- Unusual weight or eating patterns
- Malnutrition or dehydration
- Poor personal hygene
- Elder left unattended in public places or in private places for a long period of time
- Poor living conditions at residence (ie no running or hot water, excessive amount of insects, trash piling up)
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