Seven Categories of Elder Abuse

Written by Adam Peck Category: Elder Abuse January 26th, 2013 3 min read

There are Seven Categories of Elder Abuse

Number one is physical abuse that may include but not limited to such acts of violence as striking with or without an object, hitting, beating, shaking, shoving, slapping, kicking, punching. In addition to that is the inappropriate use of drugs, force feeding and the use of restraints. Any use of physical punishment of any kind, also is abuse.

The second kind of abuse is sexual abuse which is non-consensual sexual contact of any kind with an elderly person, even if the person incapable of giving consent. This includes but is not limited to, unwanted touching and all types of sexual assault or battery, such as rape, sodomy, coerced, nudity, and sexually explicit photographing.

The third kind of abuse is the emotional or psychological abuse which is the infliction of anguish, pain, or distress through verbal or nonverbal act’s, insults, threats, intimidation, humiliation, and harassment. In addition treating an older person like an infant, isolating an elderly person from family, friends or even from Regular activities, even giving them the silent treatment or enforcing social isolation are just a few examples of elder abuse that’s happening all around us.

The fourth and most common type of abuse is neglect which is the refusal or failure to provide or to fulfill an obligation or duty to the elderly person or person’s. Also, it’s a failure to provide the necessities of life such as food, water, clothing, shelter, personal hygiene, medical care, comfort and safety, medicine and other essentials.

Number five is abandonment of an elderly person by anyone who has assumed the responsibility of providing care for the elderly person. Or by a person who has physical custody of an elder. It could be a granddaughter, grandson, brother, sister, or anyone that has been ordered guardianship from the courts.

Last but not lease is the Financial abuse and material exploitation that illegal or improper use of an elder’s fund’s property or other asset’s. Such as cashing ones checks without permission or authorization. Forging the person signature, misusing or stealing one’s money or possession’s, coercing or deceiving a person into signing any document, or contracts, will’s, or improper use of conservatorship, guardianship or power of attorney.

The last of abuse issue is self-neglect, this is characterized as the behavior of an elderly person that threatens his or her own health or safety. This pertains to an older person refusal or failure to provide themselves with adequate food, water, clothing, shelter, personal hygiene, medication when indicated and safety precautions. also this includes a mentally competent older person, who understands the consequences of her or his decisions, make a conscious and voluntary decision to engage in acts that threatens his or her health or safety as a matter of persons choice.

If you suspect elder abuse or if you know of some that’s in immediate danger or is neglect, or there’s exploitation, I urge you to call 911 or to call your local police. Also, there’s a help hotline that you can call: Steven Peck’s Premier legal at 1-866-999-9085. The line is open 24 hours a day.

– from Steven Peck, Senior Attorney at Peck Law Group

Share it

Questions? Check with Peck Today

Blog Lead Form

Elder Abuse and Neglect in Assisted Living Facilities

Elopement in Nursing Homes

Assisted Living Abuse

Settlement Reached in Assisted Living Facility Death

Assisted Living Abuse and Neglect Attorneys

Written by Adam Peck

Expertise: Personal Injury

Adam J. Peck, ESQ is a principal with Peck Law Group, APC. In 2008, Mr. Adam Peck received his Juris Doctorate from Whittier Law School where he graduated Cum Laude. His practice is primarily dedicated to representing Elders, Dependent Adults, along with their loved ones and family members, who have suffered horrific personal injuries.