General Signs and Examples of Abuse
- Frequent arguments between the carer and the elderly person.
- Changes in personality or behaviour in the person being abused.
Sign and Examples of Physical Abuse
- Unexplained signs of injury like bruises, burns or scars, or more serious injuries such as broken bones which have no reasonable explanation.
- Individuals reportedly taking too much of their medicines or not taking their medicines regularly (too much of a prescription remaining).
- Signs of being restrained, such as bruises on the wrists.
- Staff in a care home refusing to allow you to see the elderly person alone.
Signs and Examples of Emotional Abuse
- Behaviour which threatens, belittles or controls a vulnerable person.
- Unusual behaviour in the abused person such as rocking, sucking, or mumbling to themselves or distress.
Signs and Examples of Neglectful Behaviour
- Unusual weight loss because of not eating or drinking sufficient; this may be because the person is not getting sufficient help to feed themselves.
- Untreated physical problems, such as bedsores.
- Dirty clothes or soiled bedding.
- Being left dirty or unbathed.
- Unsafe living conditions (lack of heat or running water; faulty electrical wiring, other fire hazards such as hoarding).
Sign and Examples of Financial Exploitation or Abuse
- Significant or unexplained withdrawals from the person’s bank account.
- Items of jewellery or cash missing.
- Unexpected or suspicious changes in wills, or power of attorney.
- Addition of names to the person’s signature card.
- Unexpected or unneeded subscriptions for goods or services.
Acknowledgement of Abuse
It can be particularly difficult for the abused person to acknowledge what is happening, or talk to someone, because:
- the person abusing them may be someone they love such as a family member.
- they feel guilty or that they have behaved ill-advisedly.
- the person abusing them is someone they depend on for daily care or financial support.
- they are frightened of the consequences if they tell someone
Concerned?
If you are suspicious or have any concerns for a child you can help by contacting the right people to share your concerns.
Please use our Reporting A Concern page to contact the appropriate service. If you are worried that there is immediate danger of harm then you should contact the police.