What are the Signs of Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation in the Elderly?
Elder abuse is any act by a caregiver, whether family or any other person that causes harm or a serious risk of harm to a vulnerable adult.
Family members often take advantage of the elderly financially. Most abusers are family members of the elderly victim. Abusers are often an adult child or spouse and is usually someone the victim knows and trusts.
Abuse may be:
Physical Abuse: Hitting, beating, slapping, pushing or pinching; improperly using restraints; improperly using medications; withholding food, water or medications; inflicting mental pain, anguish or distress through verbal or non-verbal acts; threatening someone with violence, nursing home placement, or abandonment, non-consensual sexual contact of any kind, force-feeding or physical punishment.
Emotional Abuse: Inflicting mental pain, anguish, or distress on an elder through words and actions.
Neglect: Failing to provide essential needed services; failure to provide shelter, clothing, food or medical care; or leaving the person alone for long periods of time.
Financial Exploitation: The illegal or improper use of an elder’s resources for another’s profit or gain. Taking away property or money by undue influence, force, threat or deceit; taking a social security check without permission; having the person sign a power of attorney document or other documents without the person knowing/understanding what they are signing; forging a signature; offering a “prize” that victim has won but must pay money to claim; or eliciting support for phony charities.
Sexual Abuse: Defined as non-consensual sexual contact of any kind with an elder. Sexual contact with any person incapable of giving consent is also considered sexual abuse. It includes unwanted touching, all types of sexual assault or battery, such as rape, sodomy, coerced nudity, and sexually explicit photographs.
What Do I Do If I Suspect Elder Abuse?
If you suspect abuse, neglect and/or exploitation of this population, the resources below can assist you in reporting the matter:
- To report the abuse, neglect or exploitation of an older or disabled adult who lives in a private residence, contact Adult Protective Services by calling 1-866-55AGING (1-866-552-4464) and then press “3.” Georgians can also file an online report with the Department of Human Services Division of Aging Services at aging.georgia.gov/report-elder-abuse.
- To report the abuse, neglect or exploitation of an older adult, disabled adult or resident in a long-term care facility, contact the Georgia Department of Community Health Healthcare Facility Regulation at 1-800-878-6442.
- To access information on long-term support and services, services in the home and community, or support for individuals and family members who are aging or living with a disability, contact Georgia’s Aging and Disability Resource Connection at www.georgiaadrc.com to locate an office in your area.
- If someone is in immediate danger, please call 911.
On July 1, 2017, the State of Georgia enacted the Uniform Power of Attorney (POA) Act. This law protects citizens from those who misuse their fiscal responsibility. Someone with your POA must use your money in ways that benefit you and not their own interests, See the Access the Uniform Power of Attorney Act
(HB 221)