Introducing Elder Abuse

As a nurse working in Care of the Elderly, the most common form of familial abuse I’ve seen is finiantial, where the relative is collecting their pension, but refusing to buy them clothes or any other day to day necessities. This is not only abuse, but its fraud, and the relatives can and should be prosecuted for it. The family home is firmly shut to the efforts of social workers and Public Health Nurses to help, even when the effects of physical abuse are present.

Figures released June 2009 show as many as 23,000 older people may be suffering such abuse every year according to Robin Webster of Age Action Ireland; horrifically the official number reported to the HSE is only approx 1,800.

So what are the tell-tale signs that an older person is being abused? According to the American National Centre of Elder Abuse, the symptoms of abuse vary with the nature of that abuse, but things to look out for include:

Unusual or unexplained injuries, such as cuts, bruises or burns, for which strange and inconsistent explanations are given
Unkempt appearance
Pressure or bed sores
Evidence of confinement, such as being tied to furniture or locked in a room
Dehydration or malnutrition without a medical cause
Fear, withdrawal, depression, or anxiety
Visits to many doctors or hospitals
Helplessness
A hesitation to talk openly

Sometimes when abuse is suspected, it is not clear who might be perpetrating it. In the case of an older person living with their family, any one of a number of relatives, or even friends or neighbours, could be responsible. Similarly, in a care environment, a number of carers might share responsibility for the older person. Obviously, anyone who verbally assaults, threatens or insults an older person is the most likely person to be committing any abuse that might be occurring.