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Checklist: Recognizing The Signs Of Elder Abuse
Also available in PDF | MS Word
Abuse of an elderly person can be physical, mental, or financial and takes a variety of forms. If you observe any blatant signs of abuse, such as name-calling, threats, intimate contact, unreasonable restraints, withholding of food or medication, etc., you should take immediate steps to stop it. Elder abuse, however, is rarely that obvious.
Many of the conditions and events listed below may be caused by occurrences unrelated to abuse, but then, maybe your relative is being abused. Use this checklist to quantify possible signs. If you notice the following occurrences or conditions, it is important to carefully monitor your relative's care or alert the authorities.
Physical or mental abuse may be causing the following conditions:
| ___ | Recurring or unexplained injuries |
| ___ | A combination of new and old injuries |
| ___ | Injuries without underlying diseases, or incompatible with medical history, including cuts, lacerations, puncture wounds, bruises, welts, or discoloration |
| ___ | Any injury that looks like it may have been caused by cigarettes, caustics, acids, friction from ropes or chains, or contact with other objects |
| ___ | Poorly treated or untreated injuries |
| ___ | Injuries in areas usually covered by clothing |
| ___ | Poor skin condition, poor skin hygiene, or lice |
| ___ | Absence of hair and/or hemorrhaging below the scalp |
| ___ | Dehydration or malnutrition that is unrelated to illness |
| ___ | Loss of weight |
| ___ | Soiled clothing or bedding |
| ___ | An environment that is excessively dirty or smells of feces or urine |
| ___ | Inadequate clothing |
| ___ | Depression or withdrawal |
| ___ | Hesitation to talk openly |
| ___ | Fearfulness of caregivers |
| ___ | Confusing or contradictory statements by an otherwise competent senior |
| ___ | Resignation or denial |
| ___ | Implausible explanations of injuries or conditions |
| ___ | Unexplained agitation |
| ___ | Denial of an injured state |
Financial abuse may be causing the following conditions:
| ___ | A sudden lack of knowledge about financial matters |
| ___ | A sudden refusal to make financial decisions or pay bills without consulting another person |
| ___ | Unusual or inappropriate banking activity |
| ___ | Signatures on checks or other financial documents other than your relative's, particularly when your relative can no longer write |
| ___ | The creation of a power of attorney or will, when your relative is incapacitated |
| ___ | Numerous unpaid bills and overdue rent when someone is supposed to be handling your relative's finances |
| ___ | Lost valuables |
Caregiver behavior that should raise suspicion of abuse includes:
| ___ | The caregiver does not allow your relative to speak for herself. |
| ___ | The caregiver does not allow your relative to visit with others out of the caregiver's presence. |
| ___ | The caregiver expresses anger or ambivalence towards your relative. |
| ___ | The caregiver suggests that your relative's injuries or undesirable behavior is deliberate or self-inflicted. |
| ___ | The caregiver has a history of abusing others. |
| ___ | The caregiver has problems with alcohol or drugs. |
| ___ | The caregiver is inappropriately affectionate or sexual. |
| ___ | The caregiver restricts the activity of or isolates your relative. |
| ___ | The caregiver's explanation of an injury or incident conflicts with your relative's account. |
| ___ | The caregiver is unwilling or reluctant to comply with instructions from other care providers. |
| ___ | The caregiver is inappropriately defensive when asked to explain an injury or occurrence. |
| ___ | The caregiver has unjustified control of your relative's finances. |
| ___ | The caregiver refuses services that your relative needs. |
| ___ | The caregiver is unusually concerned about the amount of money being expended on your relative's care. |
FAQs
- Whom should I select as my agent or proxy for health decisions?
- What should my advance directive say?
- Is a living trust just for someone who is incapacitated?
- It sounds as though a living trust is a very complex type of financial planning tool. Who can help me decide if one is right for me?
- I have most of my property and bank accounts held jointly with my spouse and an adult child. Isn't this good enough to ensure management of my property if I become incapacitated?
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