A relative, a caregiver or even a totally unknown person may be exercising some type of abuse on an older person without their environment noticing. However, it is essential to keep in mind that there are different types of abuse. Abuse of the elderly of a physical nature is not the only problem they must face, it can also be a situation of negligence, abandonment or financial, emotional or sexual abuse.
If an older person is suffering from a situation of this type, it is essential to identify it and intervene as soon as possible. To the conditions that he must already be dealing with at that time, a whole series of later psychological consequences can be added. Therefore, attention must be paid to a series of signs that could serve to warn that a person is being abused.
Older people represent a part of society that is especially vulnerable to suffering some type of abuse. In addition, the risk factors increase in the case of women, in those over 75 years of age, with a certain social isolation and in a state of separation, divorce or widowhood. Other aspects are also added, such as presenting a functional dependency or a disability, as well as cognitive deterioration or certain pathologies related to mental health.
To know how to identify this type of situation, there are certain signs that can be observed in the elderly and that will serve as clues. If it is confirmed that there is a case of abuse, it will be necessary to take action as soon as possible and report the case. Help can be obtained from primary care and urgent care centers. Just as it is recommended to go to social services and security forces.
Whether it is an elderly person who is part of the family nucleus or not, it is important to intervene and act in these cases. Many are not able to escape these situations on their own, either due to fear or due to another series of limitations that make it impossible for them. So they will need help from other people to be able to face their abuser.
