What Is Elder And Dependent Adult Abuse?

An elder adult is any person age 65 and older. A dependent adult is any person between the ages of 18 and 64 who has physical or mental limitations. Abuse of the elderly or of dependent adults is characterized by, but not limited to, physical abuse, emotional abuse, financial abuse, and/or neglect.

• Physical Abuse
  • The infliction of physical pain or bodily harm, characterized by bruises, injuries, deprivation of food, unauthorized physical and/or chemical restraint.
    
    
• Psychological / Emotional Abuse
  • The infliction of mental anguish such as threatening, humiliating, intimidating, and/or isolating.
    
    
• Caregiver Neglect
  • Failure to fulfill a caregiver obligation, whether intentional or unintentional, needed to maintain an elderly or dependent adult's well being.
    
    
• Self-Neglect
  • An elder or disabled person's failure to provide him or herself with the necessities of life.
    
    
• Financial Exploitation
  • The unauthorized use of an elder or disabled person's money, property, or other resources would characterize financial exploitation.
    
    
• Abandonment
  • The desertion or willful forsaking of an elderly or disabled person by a caregiver, under circumstances in which a reasonable person would continue to provide care.