Emotional Elder Abuse

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  • Is the victim withdrawn or non-responsive in the presence of their caregiver or family member?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.