Senior Care Asheville: Types of Elder Abuse and Their Risk Factors

By Jim Smeaton
Many seniors, due to mental and physical conditions, among other factors, are highly vulnerable to abuse at the hands of dishonest caregivers. From family members to professional elder care providers, the majority of caregivers are genuinely dedicated to the wellbeing of their seniors; however, there are some who are dishonest and take advantage of the elderly individuals for whom they are responsible. Putting your relatives care in the hands of Asheville senior care services, or finding a home companion in Asheville takes trust. For this reason, the senior care professionals at Always Best Care of Western NC, serving Asheville, Hendersonville, and surrounding western North Carolina communities, encourage you to be aware of the different kinds of elder abuse and the risk factors associated with mistreatment.

Elder Abuse Can Take Many Shapes
Seniors are targeted by abusive individuals in a variety of ways—but all of these forms of ill treatment can be traumatic and damaging to your elderly loved one. As such, it is crucial that you familiarize yourself with the different types of abuse that may take place and, ultimately, keep an eye out for the signs that they are occurring. These forms of abuse include:[1]

• Physical abuse
• Emotional abuse
• Sexual abuse
• Financial abuse
• Neglect
• Abandonment
• Healthcare fraud

All of these types of abuse can prove devastating to your loved one and can greatly impact their wellbeing and quality of life.

Risk Factors: What Prompts Elder Abuse?
The reasons why an individual would choose to mistreat seniors vary from one situation to the next, but there are numerous risk factors that are common in too many cases. Caregivers who perpetuate the abuse may be unable to cope with the stress of their job or personal life, may suffer from depression, or may experience a lack of support in their daily responsibilities (i.e. other caregivers leave them to complete the bulk of the work). Additionally, the idea that seniors are a burden or that the task of taking care of elderly individuals is not a rewarding job can contribute to the occurrence of abuse. Finally, substance abuse, such as the use of drugs and alcohol, can prompt caregivers to behave inappropriately.

Abusive individuals often target seniors who suffer from illness or dementia and are isolated, as they believe that others will be less likely to notice the abuse. If seniors treat caregivers with aggression, either verbal or physical, the risk of abuse is also higher.

Jim Smeaton (828) 989-7263) and the home care professionals at Always Best Care of Western NC encourage you to learn more about elder abuse in an effort to protect your senior against this form of mistreatment.

Finding the right care is not an easy decision to make, so we have put together an E-booklet filled with tips, advice, and general information so that you are well informed, click here.

If you are interested in learning more about Alzheimer's, dementia and elder care, contact Jim Smeaton  and the professionals at Always Best Care of Western North Carolina at (828) 989-7263 or visit their website.