Physical Abuse Of The Elderly

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW:

• Physical abuse of the elderly, also called battered elder syndrome or granny battering, is a form of family violence. An older person may be called an elder. There is no set age for an elder, but it may be defined as when a person retires at the age of 60 or 65 years old. In certain countries, it may be when a person physically cannot do his usual family or work roles anymore. Physical abuse occurs when someone harms an elder, or places them in danger. Family members or any person that is caring for an elder may unknowingly or on purpose abuse them. Physical abuse includes hitting, slapping, kicking, pushing, pulling hair, burning, and force-feeding. This may also include giving too much or too little medicine, or using physical restraints, knives, or firearms. Sexual abuse of an elder may also be considered physical abuse. Sexual abuse is when someone has sexual contact without that person's consent. This may include kissing, displaying genitals, or using force to have sex.
  
  
• Signs and symptoms of abuse may include unexplained repeated falls or injuries. You may have old injuries that were not treated when they happened. Abrasions (scratches), bite marks, or marks from objects used for restraint, may also be present. You may also have blood or discharge coming from the nose, mouth, or genitals, cuts, broken bones, or scars. Physical abuse may be diagnosed by a physical exam, blood or urine tests, x-rays, or computed tomography (CT) scan. Treatment for elders who are victims of physical abuse may include medicine to treat pain, and counseling. Surgery may be needed to treat your injuries. When elder abuse is reported and diagnosed, caregivers can help people who are at risk for, or are victims of elder abuse.

AFTER YOU LEAVE:

Take your medicine as directed:

Call your primary healthcare provider if you think your medicine is not working as expected. Tell him if you are allergic to any medicine. Keep a current list of the medicines, vitamins, and herbs you take. Include the amounts, and when, how, and why you take them. Take the list or the pill bottles to follow-up visits. Carry your medicine list with you in case of an emergency. Throw away old medicine lists.

Ask for information about where and when to go for follow-up visits:

For continuing care, treatments, or home services, ask for more information.

Activity and rest:

You may need to rest in bed and get plenty of sleep. Match your activity to the amount of energy you have. You may want to nap during the day. If you have trouble sleeping, tell your caregiver.

Counseling:

Your caregiver may talk to you, your family, friends, or the abuser about physical abuse. This may include what may happen if the abuse is not stopped. You may need to leave your current living situation to escape the abuse.

Ice and warm compress:

• A caregiver may have you apply ice to your injury to decrease swelling, pain, and redness. An ice pack may be made by putting crushed or cubed ice in a plastic bag or an ice pack. Mix some water in a bag with the ice, and wrap the bag in a towel. Do not leave the ice pack on your skin for a long time as this may damage your skin.
  
  
• After the first 24 to 48 hours, your caregiver may have you use heat to decrease pain or swelling. Heat brings blood to the injured area and may help it heal faster. Use a heating pad, moist warm towels, or a hot water bottle. Do this for 15 to 20 minutes every three hours. Do not sleep on the heating pad or hot water bottle as it could burn your skin.

Self-care:

• Be patient and keep your hopes up for improvement. Try to be patient and not too hard on yourself. Be the first one to encourage yourself and find ways to boost your self-esteem. Working together with people you can trust may help you get through the hard times.
  
  
• Be well informed about new laws that may help. Laws are in place to help those who are victims of physical or sexual abuse. Contact the police or other special agencies when elder abuse happens. Reporting physical abuse is the right thing to do. Caregivers may be required by law to report physical abuse.
  
  
• Learn more about abuse of the elderly. The more you know about elder abuse, the better you will be able to help yourself. Ask your caregiver for good sources of information. Work with your caregiver and other people recovering from physical or sexual abuse to help yourself.

Care of injuries:

If you have injuries, ask your caregiver for information about how to treat them.

For support and more information:

Reporting abuse may be hard to do, but it is very important. By reporting abuse you will get the help that you need to stop it from continuing, or happening to you. Talk to your caregiver, family, or friends about your feelings. Your caregiver can help you and your family better understand how to support you. You and your family may also want to join a support group. This is a group of elders who may have also been physically or sexually abused. Contact the following for more information:

• American Academy of Family Physicians
  11400 Tomahawk Creek Parkway
  Leawood , KS 66211-2680
  Phone: 1- 913 - 906-6000
  Phone: 1- 800 - 274-2237
  Web Address: http://www.aafp.org
  

• National Center on Elder Abuse
  1201 15th Street, NW, Suite 350
  Washington , DC 20005
  Phone: 1- 202 - 898-2586
  Web Address: http://www.elderabusecenter.org
  

CONTACT A CAREGIVER IF:

• You cannot get to the next meeting with your caregiver.
  
  
• You have new signs and symptoms since the last time you visited your caregiver.
  
  
• You have questions or concerns about your condition, treatment, or care.

SEEK CARE IMMEDIATELY IF:

• You feel like hurting yourself or someone else.
  
  
• You feel that you cannot cope with the abuse, or your recovery from it.
  
  
• You have trouble breathing, chest pain, or a fast heartbeat.

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The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.

Learn more about Physical Abuse Of The Elderly (Discharge Care)