Victims of elder abuse fall into a group of victims that are hidden from our society at large. Broadly defined there are three basic categories of elder abuse: domestic, institutional, and self-neglect or self-abuse.

The following breaks down the factors that increase the risk of elder abuse:

Domestic Violence Grown Old

• Spouses make up a large percentage of elder abusers and a substantial proportion of these cases are domestic violence grown old

Personal Problems of Abusers

• Are dependent on their victims for financial assistance, housing, and other forms of support.
• Oftentimes the abuser has personal problems, such as mental illness, alcohol or drug abuse, or other dysfunctional personality characteristics.

Living with Others and Isolation

• Abusers who live with the elder have more opportunity to abuse and yet may be isolated from the larger community themselves or may seek to isolate the elders from others so that the abuse is not discovered. A high percentage of older victims live with abusers.

Institutional Abuse

• They are dependent on others for care.
• They frequently have severe physical and/or mental impairments.

How to Recognize Signs of Abuse

• Bruises, pressure marks, broken bones, abrasions, and burns may be an indication of physical abuse, neglect, or mistreatment.
• Unexplained withdrawal from normal activities, a sudden change in alertness, and unusual depression may be indicators of emotional abuse.
• Bruises around the breasts or genital area can occur from sexual abuse.
• Sudden changes in financial situations may be the result of exploitation.
• Bedsores, unattended medical needs, poor hygiene, and unusual weight loss are indicators of possible neglect.
• Behavior such as belittling, threats and other uses of power and control by spouses are indicators of verbal or emotional abuse.
• Strained or tense relationships, frequent arguments between the caregiver and elderly person are also signs.

There are many ways that each of us can help address the problem of elder abuse

• Volunteer with an organization helping with tasks such as home repair and maintenance, meal delivery, transportation, and support services (such as bill paying and advocacy).
• Get to know your neighbors who are elderly or disabled, become involved.
• Help someone you know who is a caretaker (give them a break by volunteering as a sitter).

The law requires any person who believes that an elderly or adult with disabilities is being abused, neglected or exploited to report the circumstance to the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) Statewide Intake or to the Department of Aging and Disability services (licensed homes/institutions).

Report Abuse, Neglect or Exploitation

• Department of Family and Protective Services Statewide Intake, toll free 1-800-252-5400.
• Department of Aging and Disability Services complaint intake, toll free 1-800-458-9858.

Report Fraud

Report instances of fraud (home equity fraud, telemarketing fraud, mail fraud, health fraud) to the Consumer Protection Division of the Attorney General's office at: 1-800-621-0508.

Volunteer

Family Eldercare Volunteer Services, 512-483-3569.

United Way Volunteer Center, 512-323-1898.

(This material includes information obtained from the following sources: National Center on Elder Abuse. (1998). The National Elder Abuse Incidence Study; Final Report. Madison, WI: Publisher; B. Brandl, and L. Cook-Daniels, (2002). Domestic abuse in later life: Cultural considerations. VAW.Net Applied Research Forum.)