Elder Abuse: Recognizing the Signs

About this course

Elder abuse is described as intentional actions that cause harm or create a serious risk of harm to a vulnerable elder by a caregiver or other trusted person. The abuse can lead to an increased risk of morbidity, mortality, institutionalization, and hospital admission, negatively affecting families and society. Thus, it is important to be aware of signs and report suspicions of elder abuse. This independent study provides an overview of elder abuse, the signs of abuse, and reporting requirements.

Learning objectives

• Define elder abuse
• Describe the various forms of elder abuse
• Recognize the signs of elder abuse
• Understand common characteristics of a perpetrator of abuse.
• Understand the requirement of reporting elder abuse

Course outline

14 sections · finish in any order across devices

1. 1

   Introduction

   Approximately 4 million American adults are subjected to physical, psychological, and other forms of abuse and neglect every year.1 Elder abuse is an intentional act that causes or creates a risk of harm to older adults aged 60 or above.2 Elder abuse and failure to act can occur at the hands of a ca

   4 min

2. 2

   Prevalence

   Elder abuse is a common and serious problem in the United States.2 From 2002 to 2016, more than 643,000 older adults were treated in emergency departments for nonfatal assaults, and over 19,000 homicides occurred.2 But the statistics don’t show the whole story because, for every case of elder abuse

   4 min

3. 3

   Physical Abuse

   Physical abuse in elders is the most measured mistreatment type.3 Several cases show one or more events with a designated prevalence period.3 Elder physical abuse includes slapping, hitting, beating, shoving, pushing, burning, and restraining with ropes and chains.1,2 The abusive act is done by a ca

   4 min

4. 4

   Neglect

   Elder neglect can be defined as a caregiver failing to meet an older adult’s basic needs.2 These needs can range from emotional and physical to social tasks, and neglect can be in the form of a caregiver intentionally withholding proper attention to fulfill the needs of the older adult.1

   4 min

5. 5

   Self-Neglect

   Elder self-neglect is a type of elder abuse in which the older adult is no longer able to meet their basic daily needs, which leads to harm, injury, and illness.5 Elders can experience self-neglect by:1

   4 min

6. 6

   Sexual Abuse

   Elder sexual abuse includes forced sexual act of any kind.1,2 Sexual acts can include unwanted sexual contact, penetration, non-contact sexual acts like photographing the person in suggestive poses, forcing adults to look at pornography, or any unwanted sexual behavior. 1,2 These sexual interactions

   4 min

7. 7

   Emotional Abuse

   Emotional abuse in the elder refers to verbal and nonverbal behaviors that lead to anguish, mental distress, fear, or pain in an older adult.1,2 The emotional and psychological abuse acts can range from name calling or giving the "silent treatment" to intimidating and threatening the individual.1

   4 min

8. 8

   Abandonment

   Elder abandonment is like elder neglect.5 It occurs when a caregiver, trusted family member, or the individual responsible for the older adult intentionally deserts them.5 The responsible caregiver can leave the older adult at a nursing facility, long-term institutional management, or with other rel

   4 min

9. 9

   Financial Abuse

   Financial elder abuse is the illegal, improper, and unauthorized use of older adults’ money and assets.1,2 Financial abuse can range from fraud, forced property transfers, and taking someone’s money forcefully to buying something expensive under pretenses or without consent.1 It includes the imprope

   4 min

10. 10

    Signs Of Elder Abuse

    As an individual or a medical professional, it is your responsibility to recognize the signs of elder abuse and report it to the appropriate authorities or take immediate action when necessary. Most of the signs of elder abuse could be related to a medical condition or disease; thus, further inspect

    4 min

11. 11

    Risk Factors

    The only way effective interventions can be made against elder abuse is by understanding the common risk factors. Elder abuse is a complex problem and is caused by multiple factors.1 These factors are divided based on strong, potential, and contested risk factors.3 Strong risk factors have substanti

    4 min

12. 12

    Nurse Role in Reporting Elder Abuse

    Despite the pressing nature of the problem, the biggest gap in the knowledge about elder abuse lies in the prevention.3 It is crucial that interventions are developed to prevent the mistreatment of older adults.3 The effort to prevent elder abuse starts from the front line of care, and nurses are am

    4 min

13. 13

    Management of Elder Abuse (Who to Contact)

    Following the detection of abuse, it is mandatory for nurses to act.7 But nurses might feel futile as the older adult has decision-making capacity and wishes to retain the situation as-is.7 In such cases, it is important for nurses to provide continued support, especially in a community setting wher

    4 min

14. 14

    Conclusion

    A nurse has a duty to report suspected abuse.7 The elderly population is growing, which means more older adults are susceptible to the risks of elder abuse.2 Elders may face communication and time challenges that may prevent them from recognizing that abuse is occuring.7 Elder abuse is a problem who

    4 min

This course satisfies

Requirement summaries come from our state requirement records. Always confirm details with your board before you renew.

References and resources

• 1. Elder abuse and neglect: In search of solutions. https://www.apa.org. https://www.apa.org/pi/aging/resources/guides/elder-abuse. Published 2012.
• 2. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Preventing elder abuse. www.cdc.gov. Published 2020. https://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/elderabuse/fastfact.html
• 3. Pillemer K, Burnes D, Riffin C, Lachs MS. Elder Abuse: Global Situation, Risk Factors, and Prevention Strategies. The Gerontologist. 2016;56(Suppl 2): S194-S205. doi:10.1093/geront/gnw004
• 4. Yon Y, Mikton CR, Gassoumis ZD, Wilber KH. Elder abuse prevalence in community settings: a systematic review and meta-analysis. The Lancet Global Health. 2017;5(2):e147-e156. doi:10.1016/s2214-109x(17)30006-2
• 5. Nursing Home Abuse Center. Types of Elder Abuse - Learn About the Different Types of Elderly Abuse. Nursing Home Abuse Center. Published 2016. https://www.nursinghomeabusecenter.com/elder-abuse/types/
• 6. Reporting Elder Abuse: The Responsibility of Nurses | Duquesne University. Duquesne University School of Nursing. Published December 1, 2017. https://onlinenursing.duq.edu/blog/reporting-elder-abuse/
• ‌7. Phelan A. The role of the nurse in detecting elder abuse and neglect: current perspectives. Nursing: Research and Reviews. Published September 10, 2018. https://www.dovepress.com/the-role-of-the-nurse-in-detecting-elder-abuse-and-neglect-current-per-peer-reviewed-fulltext-article-NRR

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