Elder Abuse and Neglect

Everyone has the right to be safe. It’s the law. Elder abuse or neglect can occur at any time, in any community, at any economic level, among all races and nationalities. Many people who hear "elder abuse and neglect" think about older people living in nursing homes, but most elder abuse and neglect takes place at home. When elder abuse happens, family, other household members, and paid caregivers usually are the abusers. Often the abuse is subtle, and the distinction between normal stress and abuse is not always easy to discern. Elders who are ill, frail, disabled, mentally impaired, or depressed are at greater risk of abuse, but even those who do not have these obvious risk factors can find themselves in abusive situations and relationships.

In an emergency call 911

If you are abused you should not confront your abuser. Wait until the abuser is gone or has calmed down so you can secretly and safely call one of these numbers for help:

  • County Office of Services for the Aging, 206 Eddystone Avenue, 2nd Floor, Eddystone, PA 19022, 610-490-1300 or 800-416-4504.
  • Domestic Abuse Project of Delaware County, 14 West Second Street Media, PA 19063, 610-565-6272, 610-565-4590 (bi-lingual).
  • Delaware County Elder Abuse Hotline, 610-490-1300, 24 hours a day.
  • Senior Victim Services, 610-627-2292, provides assistance with court appearances and recovery of losses for elderly crime victims.
  • Delaware County District Attorney's Office, 201 West Front Street Media, PA 19063, 610-891-4811.
  • Pennsylvania Department of Aging, 717-783-3126.
  • Pennsylvania Elder Abuse Hotline 800-490-8505.

Be sure to call. You may be able to prevent the next abusive situation by getting help from people who have worked with these problems and will work with you to develop your own personal safety plan. This could mean the difference between life and death.

Physical Abuse

Physical abuse can range from slapping or shoving to severe beatings and restraining with ropes or chains. When a caregiver or other person uses enough force to cause unnecessary pain or injury, even if the reason is to help the older person, the behavior can be regarded as abusive. Physical abuse can include hitting, beating, pushing, kicking, pinching, burning, or biting. It can also include such acts against the older person as over- or under-medicating, depriving the elder of food, or exposing the person to severe weather, deliberately or inadvertently. Look for:

  • Bruises or grip marks around the arms or neck
  • Rope marks or welts on the wrists and/or ankles
  • Repeated unexplained injuries
  • Dismissive attitude or statements about injuries
  • Refusal to go to same emergency department for repeated injuries
  • A history of doctor or emergency room "shopping"
  • Repeated time lags between the time of any "injury or fall" and medical treatment
  • Cuts, lacerations, puncture wounds
  • Any injury incompatible with history
  • Burns.

Emotional/Psychological Abuse

Emotional or psychological abuse can range from name-calling or giving the "silent treatment" to intimidating and threatening the individual. When a family member, a caregiver, or other person behaves in a way that causes fear, mental anguish, and emotional pain or distress, the behavior can be regarded as abusive. Emotional and psychological abuse can include insults and threats. It can also include treating the older person like a child and isolating the person from family, friends, and regular activities either by force or threats or through manipulation. Look for:

  • Uncommunicative and unresponsive
  • Unreasonably fearful or suspicious
  • Lack of interest in social contacts
  • Chronic physical or psychiatric health problems
  • Evasiveness or hesitation to talk openly
  • Implausible stories
  • Confusion or disorientation
  • Denial
  • Agitation.

Sexual Abuse

Sexual abuse can range from sexual exhibition to rape. Sexual abuse can include inappropriate touching, photographing the person in suggestive poses, forcing the person to look at pornography, forcing sexual contact with a third party, or any unwanted sexualized behavior. It also includes rape, sodomy, or coerced nudity. Look for:

  • Unexplained vaginal or anal bleeding
  • Torn or bloody underwear
  • Bruised breasts
  • Venereal diseases or vaginal infections

Financial Abuse or Exploitation

Financial exploitation can range from misuse of an elder’s funds to embezzlement. Financial exploitation includes fraud, taking money under false pretenses, forgery, forced property transfers, purchasing expensive items with the older person’s money without the older person’s knowledge or permission, or denying the older person access to his or her own funds or home. It includes the improper use of legal guardianship arrangements, powers of attorney, or conservator ships. It also includes a variety of scams perpetrated by sales people for health-related services, mortgage companies, and financial managers, or even by so-called friends. Look for:

  • Unusual banking activity (e.g. large withdrawals during a brief period of time, switching of accounts from one bank to another, ATM activity by a homebound elder)
  • Bank statements (credit card statements, etc.) no longer come to the older adult.
  • Documents are being drawn up for the elder to sign but the elder cannot explain or understand the purpose of the papers.
  • The elders living situation is not commensurate with the size of the elder's estate (e.g. lack of new clothing or amenities, unpaid bills).
  • The caregiver only expresses concern regarding the financial status of the older person and does not ask questions or express concern regarding the physical and/or mental health status of the elder.
  • Personal belongings such as jewelry, art, furs are missing.
  • Signatures on checks and other documents do not match the signature of the older person.
  • Recent acquaintances, housekeepers, "care" providers, etc. declare undying affection for the older person and isolate the elder from long-term friends or family.
  • Recent acquaintances, housekeeper, caregiver, etc. make promises of lifelong care in exchange for deeding all property and/or assigning all assets over to the acquaintance, caregiver, etc.

Neglect

Caregiver neglect can range from care giving strategies that withhold appropriate attention from the individual to intentionally failing to meet the physical, social, or emotional needs of the older person. Neglect can include failure to provide food, water, clothing, medications, and assistance with the activities of daily living or help with personal hygiene. If the caregiver has responsibility for paying bills for the older person, neglect also can include failure to pay the bills or to manage the elder person’s money responsibly. Look for:

  • Sunken eyes or loss of weight
  • Extreme thirst
  • Bed sores
  • Soiled clothing or bed.

If you feel you are being abused or neglected, your personal safety is most important. If your abuser is threatening you with greater abuse if you tell anyone, and if the abuser refuses to leave you alone in a room with others who could help, you are probably afraid to let anyone know what is happening to you. A good strategy is to let your physician know about the abuse. The physician has a legal obligation to report the abuser and to help you find safety. If you are able to make phone calls, call a trusted friend who can help you find safety and also find help for the person who is abusing you. There is no shame or embarrassment in asking for help.

If you feel you have been abusive or are in danger of abusing an older person in your care, there is help available. The solution may be to find ways of giving yourself a break and relieving the tension of having total responsibility for an older person who is completely dependent on you. There are many local respite or adult day care programs to help you. The most important thing for you is to be honest with yourself and with those who want to help you, someone’s life may depend on it.

Protection From Abuse Orders (PFAs)

There is assistance available to get an order to keep the abuser away from the victim. A Protection From Abuse Order (PFA) is a restraining order issued by a Magisterial District Judge or a Court of Common Pleas Judge. Under the Protection From Abuse Act, abuse is defined as physical abuse, a threat which places you in immediate fear of physical injury, or a pattern of conduct which places you in immediate fear of physical injury. In order to petition for a PFA, you must be, or have been, in a relationship with, or a family member of, the person against whom you want to file. A PFA can prohibit abusive conduct and remove the abuser from your residence.

There are 3 kinds of PFAs:

  • An Emergency Order is usually issued by a Magisterial District Judge after 3:00 PM on business day or when Court of Common Pleas is closed. It is typically in effect until the next business day at the Court of Common Pleas.
  • A Temporary Order is issued by Court of Common Pleas and is in effect until a hearing for a Permanent PFA is held.
  • A Permanent Order is issued for a number of months based on a hearing before Court of Common Pleas. The hearing date is scheduled when you receive the temporary PFA.

In any emergency, call 911. The police will assist you and provide information on how to get an emergency PFA and will file a report. To obtain information on filing for a PFA and, with few exceptions, free legal representation throughout the process, you can contact the Domestic Abuse Project of Delaware County, 14 West Second Street Media, PA 19063, 610-565-6272, 610-565-4590 (bi-lingual) before 10:30 AM Monday through Friday for a same day Court appearance. After 10:30 AM, assistance will be provided for a next day Court appearance. If you wish to file on your own you may go to the Office of Judicial Support in the Media Courthouse or seek private legal counsel.

There are many organizations in Delaware County working to prevent elder abuse, but they can't help if they don't know about the abuse. Whenever you hear or see abusive behavior you should call 911. If you ignore the abuse or think it will get better without intervention, you may be risking your life or the life of someone you know. Abuse always gets worse without help.