Emotional Elder Abuse Is…
Intentionally causing mental or emotional anguish by:
· Threatening | · Humiliating |
· Blaming | · Isolating |
· Terrorizing | · Demeaning |
Emotional abuse usually co-exists with other types of abuse.
Signs Of Emotional Elder Abuse Are…
- Nervousness around caregiver/other
- Imposed isolation; communication with friends and family restricted by a caregiver
- Fearful of saying or doing something wrong
- Deferring to others out of fear
If You Suspect Emotional Elder Abuse, Ask…
- Does the victim seem upset or agitated in the presence of their caregiver or family member, or when speaking about a caregiver or family member? If so, how?
- Is the victim withdrawn or non-responsive in the presence of their caregiver or family member?
- Does the caregiver restrict communication to friends and family?
- Ask the victim: Do you have family and friends? How often do you see them? How often would you like to see them?
- Does the victim seem fearful of saying or doing something wrong?
If You Suspect Emotional Elder Abuse…
- Use the First Responder Checklist to document the victim’s level of independence and functioning.
- Emotional elder abuse is not a mandatory reporting offense in many states. Check your state’s mandates.
- Emotional abuse is often present with other types of abuse. Explore and document the possibility of financial elder abuse, sexual elder abuse, and physical elder abuse.