Understanding Elder Abuse
ActiveRain blogger Brian England posted a blog about Elder Abuse Awareness. It is an important topic for many seniors and their families.
According to the National Council on Aging (NCOA), about 1 in 10 Americans aged 60 or older have suffered from at least one type of elder abuse. The National Center on Elder Abuse (NCEA) breaks elder abuse down into 7 different types. Knowing the types of elder abuse can help you protect older adults — especially those living in nursing homes.
When someone with power over an elderly person intentionally harms them or puts them at risk of harm, their actions — or lack of action — are considered elder abuse. Elder abuse isn’t just one action or inaction and it can take many forms.
The 7 types of elder abuse are:
- Neglect
- Physical abuse
- Sexual abuse
- Abandonment
- Emotional or psychological abuse
- Financial abuse
- Self-neglect
All types of elder abuse can lead to devastating consequences, including physical and/or emotional harm and even death.
It is key for older people and their loved ones to know about all elder abuse types. They can use this knowledge to prevent abuse from happening or stop it before severe harm occurs.
Take action if you or a loved one suffered abuse or neglect in a nursing home. Get started with a free case review.
Quick Facts About Elder Abuse Types
- The types of elder abuse go beyond physical and emotional harm. Elders can suffer from sexual assaults, financial exploitation, abandonment, and more.
- Most types of elder abuse are committed by trusted individuals, like family or nursing home staff.
- Elders can sometimes mistreat themselves through self-neglect.
- According to the NCOA, elders are more likely to self-report financial exploitation than emotional abuse, physical abuse, sexual abuse, or neglect.
- Psychological abuse is the most common type of elder abuse, according to the NCEA. Types of Elder Abuse
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