Continued: Recognizing Signs of Elder Abuse

Here are the second three of the six categories of elder abuse. 

Neglect By Caregivers and Self-Neglect

• Unusual weight loss, malnutrition, dehydration
• Untreated physical problems, such as bed sores
• Unsanitary living conditions: dirt, bugs, soiled bedding and clothes
• Poor hygiene, lack of clean or appropriate clothing
• Unsafe living conditions (No heat or running water; faulty electrical wiring, fire hazards)
• Desertion of the elder at a public place

Financial Exploitation

• Significant or unauthorized withdrawals from the elder’s accounts
• Sudden changes in the elder’s financial condition
• Items of cash missing from the household
• Suspicious changes in wills, power of attorney, titles and policies
• Addition of names to the elder’s signature card
• Unpaid bills or lack of medical care, although the elder has enough money to pay for them
• Financial activity the elder couldn’t have done, such as ATM withdrawals by a bedridden account holder
• Unnecessary services, goods or subscriptions
• Unusual change in spending habits

Scams

• Constant phone calls from various phone numbers
• Elder/adult suddenly wiring money
• Large accumulation of lottery mail
• Elder/adult secretive about a relationship with someone they have not met in person

Mandatory Reporters
In most states, professions that engage in regular contact with children are listed as mandatory reporters. In at least 18 states, however, there are no listed mandatory reporters – anyone and everyone who knows or suspects that child abuse has occurred is required by law to make a report.

Mandated reporters are healthcare providers, licensed or unlicensed social service providers for vulnerable adults, paid or unpaid caretakers, care custodians, the clergy, and other professionals in a position of trust who suspect elder or dependent adult abuse or neglect, including self-neglect.

In states with defined mandatory reporter lists, however, the following professions are frequently listed:

• Day care workers
• Dental assistants and hygienists
• Doctors' office staff persons
• Emergency medical technicians
• Family practitioners
• Foster care workers
• Hospital personnel
• Medical examiners
• Nurse practitioners
• Police officers
• Practical nurses
• Psychiatrists and psychologists
• Registered nurses
• School administrators, advisors, and paraprofessionals
• Social workers
• Teachers and teachers' aides

The federal Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) maintains a list of mandatory reporters by state.