Types of abuse/neglect and how to recognize the signs
Neglect by others: The a) failure to provide the necessities of life to an incapacitated adult or facility resident with the intent to coerce or physically harm the incapacitated adult or resident and b) the unlawful expenditure or willful dissipation of the funds or other assets owned or paid to or for the benefit of an incapacitated adult or resident.
Signs to watch for:
- dehydration/malnutrition
- untreated medical condition(s)
- poor personal hygiene
- decubitus ulcers (bed sores)
- unsanitary living quarters (animal/insect infestation, fecal/urine odor)
- hazardous/unsafe living conditions (dirt, fleas, lice on person, soiled bedding)
- inappropriate/inadequate clothing
- lack of necessary medical aids (eyeglasses, dentures)
- abandonment
- adult's report of being neglected/mistreated
Self-neglect: The inability of an incapacitated adult to his/her own basic daily living needs due to mental or physical incapacity.
Signs to watch for:
- dehydration/malnutrition
- untreated medical condition(s)
- poor personal hygiene
- hazardous unsafe living conditions (improper wiring, no heat/running water/plumbing)
- unsanitary living quarters (animal/insect infestation, fecal/urine odor)
- inappropriate/inadequate clothing
- lack of necessary medical aids (eyeglasses, dentures)
- grossly inadequate housing or homeless
Physical Abuse: The infliction or threat to inflict physical pain or injury on or the imprisonment of any incapacitated adult or facility resident.
Signs to watch for:
- bruises, welts, black eyes, rope marks
- open wounds, cuts, punctures
- untreated injuries
- injuries in various stages of healing
- broken eyeglasses/frames
- signs pf being restrained
- signs of over/under medicating
- adult's sudden change in behavior
- caregiver's refusal to allow visitors
Sexual Abuse: The coercion of an incapacitated adult into having sexual contact with the perpetrator or another person. A caregiver of the incapacitated person must be involved either directly (i.e. as the perpetrator or sexual partner) or indirectly (by allowing or enabling the conditions which result in the sexual coercion).
Signs to watch for:
- bruises around the breasts or genital area
- unexplained venereal disease or genital infection
- unexplained vaginal/anal bleeding
- torn, stained or bloody under clothes
- adult's report of being sexually assaulted or raped
Financial Exploitation: A type of neglect of an incapacitated adult involving the illegal or unethical use or willful dissipation of his/her funds, property or other assets by a formal or informal caregiver, family member, or legal representative - either directly (i.e. as the perpetrator) or in-directly (i.e. by allowing or enabling the condition which permitted the financial exploitation). The client must be placed at imminent risk of neglect (i.e. not having his basic needs met) by this
Signs to watch for:
- unauthorized withdrawal of funds using ATM
- unexplained disappearance of funds/valuables or sudden transfers of assets to others
- provision of substandard care despite availability of sufficient resources
- unpaid bills despite availability of sufficient resources
- provision of services that are not needed
- sudden appearance of previously uninvolved relatives claiming rights to adult's assets
Verbal/Emotional Abuse: The threat to inflict physical pain or injury on or the threat of imprisonment of any incapacitated adult. The threat to inflict physical pain or injury includes, but is not limited to, the withholding of food, hydration and/or medical treatment. Imprisonment includes, but is not limited to, isolation. The verbal threat(s) must be perceived by the client or others to be real. Non-malicious teasing does not constitute verbal abuse.
- constant belittling/derogatory comments to/about the adult
- adult being emotional upset/agitated
- extreme withdrawal/non-communicative/non-responsive
- unusual behavior, usually attributed to dementia (rocking, sucking, biting)
- adult's report of being verbally/emotionally abused
