Elderly Abuse

Seniors today are more active, independent, and in better health than ever before. However, as the population of seniors grows, so does the epidemic of elder abuse and neglect. The elder population is the fastest growing, most affluent and most vulnerable to abuse. Granite City has nearly 5,000 elders (65 and older). Statistics show that one out of twenty elders will be a victim of elder abuse in their lifetime. Only 19% of elder abuse incidents are reported.

Apprehension and successful prosecution of those criminals that abuse the elderly is instrumental in helping to develop a more secure environment for senior and dependent adults.

If you witness elder or dependent adult abuse, call 9-1-1. If you suspect ongoing elder or dependent adult abuse, call the Granite City Police Department at (618) 877-6111. If you know an elderly person who seems unable to take care of themselves, (self neglect) contact the Illinois Elder Abuse Hotline at (866) 800-1409.

Definitions of Elder and Dependent Adult Abuse

Types of Elder and Dependent Adult Abuse

    • Physical Abuse 
    • Sexual Abuse
    • Psychological Abuse
    • Neglect and Self-Neglect
    • Financial Abuse

Physical Abuse

Physical abuse is defined as the use of physical force that may result in bodily injury, physical pain, or impairment. Physical abuse may include such acts of violence as striking (with or without an object), hitting, beating, pushing, shoving, shaking, slapping, kicking, pinching, and burning. In addition, the inappropriate use of drugs and physical restraints, force-feeding, and physical punishment of any kind are also examples of physical abuse.

Signs and symptoms of physical abuse include:

    • Bruises, black eyes, welts, lacerations, and rope marks
    • Bone fractures, broken bones, and skull fractures
    •Open wounds, cuts, punctures
    • Untreated injuries in various stages of healing
    • Sprains, dislocations, and internal injuries/bleedings
    • Broken eyeglasses/frames
    • Signs of being restrained
    • Laboratory findings of medication overdose or under utilization of prescribed drugs
    • An elder/dependent adult's report of being hit, slapped, kicked, or mistreated
    • An elder/dependent adult's sudden change in behavior
    • A caregiver's refusal to allow visitors to see an elder/dependent adult alone

Sexual Abuse

Sexual abuse is defined as nonconsensual contact of any kind with an elder/dependent person. Sexual contact with any person incapable of giving consent is also considered sexual abuse. It includes unwanted touching and all types of sexual assault or battery (e.g. rape, sodomy, coerced nudity, and sexually explicit photographing).

Signs and symptoms of sexual abuse include:

    • Bruises around the breasts or genital area
    • Unexplained venereal disease or genital infections
    • Unexplained vaginal or anal bleeding
    • Torn, stained, or bloody underclothing
    • An elder/dependent adult's report of being sexually assaulted or raped

Psychological Abuse

Psychological or emotional abuse is defined as the infliction of anguish, pain, or distress through verbal or nonverbal acts. Psychological/emotional abuse includes verbal assaults, insults, threats, intimidation, humiliation, and harassment. In addition, treating an elder/dependent person like an infant; isolating an elder/dependent person from their family, friends, or regular activities; giving an elder/dependent person the "silent treatment" and enforced social isolation are examples of emotional/psychological abuse.

Signs and symptoms of psychological/emotional abuse include:

    • Elder/dependent adult acting emotionally upset or agitated
    • Elder/dependent adult becoming extremely withdrawn, or non-responsive
    • Elder/dependent adult displaying unusual behavior usually attributed to dementia (e.g. sucking,
          biting, rocking)
    • An elder/dependent adult's report of being verbally or emotionally mistreated

Neglect and Self-Neglect

Neglect is defined as the refusal or failure to fulfill any part of a person's obligations or duties to an elder or dependent adult. Neglect may also include failure of a person who has fiduciary responsibilities to provide care for an elder or dependent adult (e.g. pay for necessary home care services) or the failure on the part of an in-home service provider to provide necessary care. Neglect typically means the refusal or failure to provide an elderly person or dependent adult with such life necessities as food, water, clothing, shelter, personal hygiene, medicine, comfort, personal safety, and other essentials included in an implied or agreed-upon responsibility to an elder or dependent adult.

Signs and symptoms of neglect include:

    • Dehydration, malnutrition, untreated bed sores, and poor personal hygiene
    • Unattended or untreated health problems
    • Hazardous or unsafe living condition or arrangements (e.g. dirt, fleas, lice on a person, soiled
          bedding, fecal/urine smell, inadequate clothing)
    • An elder/dependent adult's report of being mistreated 

Self-Neglect is defined as the failure of an elder or dependent adult to adequately take care of themselves and meet the demands of daily living to eat, pay bills, meet personal hygiene needs, and take medications.

Self-Neglect is NOT A CRIMINAL MATTER. It should be reported to the Elder Abuse Hotline at (866) 800-1409 for evaluation.

Financial Abuse

Financial or material exploitation is defined as the illegal or improper use of an elder/dependent adult's funds, property, or assets. Examples include:

    • Cashing an elder/dependent adult's checks without authorization/permission
    • Forging an elder/dependent adult's signature
    • Misusing or stealing an elder/dependent adult's money or possessions
    • Coercing or deceiving an elder/dependent adult into signing any document (e.g., contracts or will)
    • Misusing conservatorship, guardianship, or power of attorney.

Signs and symptoms of financial or material exploitation include (but are not limited to):

    • Sudden changes in bank account or banking practice, including an unexplained withdrawal of large
          sums of money by a person accompanying the elder/dependent adult
    • The inclusion of additional names on an elder/dependent adult's bank signature card
    • Unauthorized withdrawal of the elder/dependent adult's funds using their ATM card
    • Abrupt changes in a will or other financial documents
    • Unexplained disappearance of funds or valuable possessions
    • Substandard care being provided or bills unpaid despite the availability of adequate financial
          resources
    • Discovery of an elder/dependent adult's signature being forged for financial transactions or for the
          titles of his/her possessions
    • Sudden appearance of previously uninvolved relatives claiming their rights to an elder/dependent
          adult's affairs and possessions
    • Unexplained sudden transfer of assets to a family member or someone outside the family
    • The provision of services that are not necessary
    • An elder/dependent adult's report of financial exploitation

Resources
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