Elder abuse may not be mentioned as often as child abuse, but it still occurs far too often. Seniors are susceptible to abuse because they often need help from those around them. There are many different forms of abuse seniors could end up encountering. Family and friends need to be on the lookout for the following types of abuse.
Neglect
In some cases, neglect of a senior is severe enough to qualify as abuse. A person who is meant to be caring for a senior may be ignoring requests for help, not providing food, or not assisting with hygiene. Even if the caregiver seems attentive while others are present, he or she may be neglecting the senior’s essential needs the rest of the time. Keep an eye out for bedsores, sudden weight loss, an unkempt appearance, or a general lack of hygiene around the house.
Seniors often have difficulty maintaining their health while aging in place. Living alone at home in the golden years can present a few unique challenges. Trust Green Valley elderly care professionals to help your senior loved one maintain a higher quality of life while he or she manages an illness and performs the daily tasks of living.
Physical Abuse
Physical abuse can include various forms of assault, or it may consist of using restraints to keep a senior in place when the caregiver doesn’t wish to watch him or her. Signs of physical abuse may include scratches, bruises, reddened skin around the wrists and ankles, or unexplained broken bones. Seniors experiencing physical abuse may flinch away from sudden movements or suddenly dislike physical contact. If you notice your loved one keeps getting injured without any explanation, you may need to look into the situation a little more closely.
One of the most important things you can do for your loved one is hire a trustworthy professional caregiver who has had a thorough background check. Although it may be challenging to find reliable, highly rated home care in Green Valley, you can turn to Embrace In-Home Care. Our respite and live-in caregivers are expertly trained to assist seniors with a wide array of important tasks, including cooking, bathing, light housekeeping, and exercise.
Financial Abuse
The signs of financial abuse aren’t as well-known as other types of abuse, but this form of elder abuse can be devastating. The abuser may be stealing from the senior without the senior being aware of it, taking advantage of a mentally incompetent senior, or using other forms of abuse to force the senior to hand over funds. Consider setting up alerts with an identity security company to discover if new lines of credit or bank accounts are being opened in your loved one’s name. Keep an eye out for the sudden disappearance of expensive possessions, a lack of funds in a bank account, or complaints about not getting checks and money transfers.
Emotional Abuse
Not all forms of abuse involve physically damaging a senior. It’s possible to be abused entirely through words. Emotional abuse often takes the form of humiliating, mocking, blaming, or threatening the senior, and it frequently involves forcing the senior to rely entirely on the abuser, which continues to diminish emotional and mental health. It can be difficult for others to spot this type of abuse. Signs may include apologizing to the caregiver, exhibiting symptoms of depression, or changing personality traits suddenly.
For many caregivers, spotting elder abuse may be challenging because they’re too busy focusing on work or their other family duties. Family caregivers sometimes need a break from their caregiving responsibilities. When they need respite care, Green Valley families can rely on professional caregivers to help their senior loved ones remain safe at home. If you need high-quality care for your loved one, call Embrace In-Home Care today at (520) 625-2050.