Elder abuse can occur anywhere. Elder abuse affects elders of all socio-economic groups, cultures, and races. Data shows that elders are most often abused by family members or persons in positions of trust. Most victims know their abusers. Elders who have the highest risk of abuse are women, “older elders” and individuals with dementia.
Definitions
Emotional Abuse
The intentional or reckless infliction of emotional or mental anguish or the use of a physical or chemical restraint, medication, or isolation as punishment or as a substitute for treatment or care of any elderly person.
Financial Exploitation
The use of deception, intimidation, undue influence, force, or threat of force to obtain or exert unauthorized control over an elderly person’s property with the intent to deprive the elderly person of his or her property or the breach of fiduciary duty to an elderly person by the person’s guardian, conservator, or agent under a power of attorney which results in an unauthorized appropriation, sale, or transfer of the elderly person’s property.
Neglect
The failure of a caregiver to provide food, shelter, clothing, medical services, medication, or health care for an elderly person.
Physical Abuse
The intentional use of physical pain, injury, or the willful deprivation by a caregiver or other person of services necessary to maintain mental and physical health. Examples: assault involving physical injury or serious physical injury which may be evident by hitting, striking, cutting, burning, pushing or shoving, excessively restraining, and physical punishment.
Sexual Offenses
Any conduct that is a crime as defined in Sections 13A-6-60 to 13A-6-70, inclusive. (Which may include rape, sodomy, or sexual abuse by forcible compulsion or incapacity of the victim.)
Definitions above are from the Protecting Alabama’s Elders Act. Definitions from Alabama’s Adult Protective Services Act of 1976 are on the back.
Definitions from the Alabama Adult Protective Services Act of 1976
Abuse
The infliction of physical pain, injury, or the willful deprivation by a caregiver or other person of services necessary to maintain mental and physical health.
Emotional Abuse
The infliction of physical pain, injury, or the willful deprivation by a caregiver or other person of services necessary to maintain mental and physical health.
Exploitation
The expenditure, diminution, or use of the property, assets, or resources of a protected person without the express voluntary consent of that person or his or her legally authorized representative.
Neglect
The failure of a caregiver to provide food, shelter, clothing, medical services, or health care for the person unable to care for himself or herself; or the failure of the person to provide these basic needs for himself or herself when the failure is a result of the person’s mental or physical inability.
Sexual Abuse
Any conduct that is a crime as defined in Sections 13A-6-60 to 13A-6-70, inclusive. (Which may include rape, sodomy, or sexual abuse by forcible compulsion or incapacity of the victim or indecent exposure.)
