Watch for red flags that may signal abuse
An abused elder may be hesitant to talk openly or appear to be fearful, angry, depressed, or withdrawn, says Lorey Ridge, MSW, GSW, ED social worker at East Jefferson General Hospital in Metairie, LA. "These are all red flags that something may be terribly wrong and can be observed without ever asking a single question," adds Ridge. However, she adds that it is important to perform a quick screening on all elderly patients. Ridge suggests you start by finding out whom the patient lives with and asking, "How have things been lately?"
"This, of course, is much more effective if the caregiver is away from the patient," she says. She advises keeping questions neutral, such as asking "Is there anyone at home that you’re afraid of?" Here are her suggestions for follow-up questions if the patient responds "yes" to that question:
- Who is that person?
- What does he or she do that scares you?
- Does he or she ever hurt you?
- How often do you see or talk to your friends and family?
- Does he or she ever punish you?
- How often do you eat?
- How often do you take a bath?
- Do you often miss doctor appointments?
Since elder patients may be suffering from a diagnosis of dementia, you may have to rely upon other indicators, acknowledges Ridge. A caregiver who is abusing an elder may reveal warning signs themselves, she notes. She gives the following examples of red flags to watch for:
- not giving the elderly patient the opportunity to speak for him or herself, and answering questions directed to the patient;
- not allowing the patient to go for procedures without him or her, or not allowing the procedure to be performed at all;
- showing indifference or anger toward the elder, or the obvious absence of assistance;
- irrationally blaming the elder, such as accusing the elder that his or her incontinence is a deliberate act;
- threatening, insulting, or harassing the elder;
- giving an account of an incident that conflicts with the elder’s;
- displaying inappropriate or unwarranted defensiveness.
(Editor’s note: To obtain telephone numbers for reporting elder abuse in your state, go to www.elderabusecenter.org, and click on "Reporting Elder Abuse.")
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