ELDER ABUSE

Battering, psychological abuse, sexual assault or any act omission by personal caregiver, family or legal guardian that results in harm or threatened harm.

TRUE or FALSE

Characteristics of elder abuse victims include diminished self esteem, feelings of isolation and feeling responsibility for the abuse.
TRUE.

Elders who are currently being abused often abused their abusers
TRUE. Violence is a learned behavior.

The only types of elder abuse are associated with neglect, psychological and physical abuse.
FALSE. Financial abuse, such as theft and fraudulent monetary schemes also fall within the elder abuse category.

SOME CUES ASSOCIATED WITH ELDER ABUSE INCLUDE:

• Agitation, anger, depression, fear and withdrawal
• Weight loss
• Unexplained cuts, bruises or injuries
• Recent changes in the pateint's last will & testament
• Unusual banking activities
  

THE NURSING CARE PLAN CAN INCLUDE:

• Referring caregivers to community services before serious abuse occurs
• Reporting the case to law enforcement agencies
• Providing the elder with a phone number for a confidential hotline
• Referring counseling, support and self-help groups to the victim