Questions to Ask

Emotional Abuse

Is someone physically restraining or overmedicating you or another elder as punishment or as a substitute for treatment or care?

Yes

Is someone causing you or another elder emotional distress by name-calling, threats or insults?

Yes

Is someone giving you the “silent treatment” by ignoring your comments and opinions or discussing you and your care as though you are not present?

Yes

Is someone isolating you or another elder from family, friends, or regular activities?

Yes

Financial Exploitation

Is someone pressuring you to make a quick decision?

Yes

Are you afraid of being harmed, neglected, or abandoned if you do notagree to financial arrangements made by someone with the power to harm you?

Yes

Have you or another elder signed a power of attorney, will, or other legal document that you think is not in your or the other elder’s best interest?

Yes

Has a caretaker or family member directly involved with managing your finances (Power of Attorney, Guardian or Conservator) isolated you from other family and/or friends?

Yes

Has your money been used to make purchases without your consent?

Yes

Are you pressured to give more than you are comfortable givingas gifts or donations?

Yes

Have you noticed valuable items missing from your home?

Yes

Have you noticed money missing from your bank account?

Yes

Do you have charges on your credit card(s) that you did not make?

Yes

Has an unauthorized person accessed or attempted to gain access to your financial accounts?

Yes

Neglect

Do you or another elder routinely lack enough food to eat and liquids to drink?

Yes

Do you believe the place you or another elder lives is unsafe or unsanitary?

Yes

Are you or another elder left in soiled clothing for long periods of time?

Yes

Do you or another elder have untreated medical conditions or injuries?

Yes

Is your caregiver failing to provide you or another elder with food, clothing, medicine, medical care, or other needs?

Yes

Have you or another elder been left alone for long periods of time without needed supervision, treatment, or care?

Yes

Physical Abuse

Has your caregiver or another elder withheld services needed for your mental or physical health?

Yes

Have you or another elder been hit, slapped, kicked, or physically harmed?

Yes

Sexual Abuse

Has anyone touched you or another elder in a sexual or inappropriate way without your permission?

Yes

Answering "Yes"

Answering “yes” to any of these questions may indicate abuse. If you think you or someone you know is being abused, call 1-800-458-7214. The hotline is available 24 hours, 7 days a week and is operated by the Department of Human Resources (DHR) Adult Protective Services Division. You may leave a message during high-volume call times or after normal business hours. You can report elder abuse anonymously.

If you have an emergency, call 911 or your local law enforcement agency. If you feel that you are being abused or neglected but are scared to report it, ask to see someone you trust. Tell them what’s going on and they can report it. You have a right to be protected and free from abuse, neglect and exploitation.

Emotional Abuse

Emotional Abuse

Financial Exploitation

Neglect

Physical Abuse

Sexual Abuse

Answering "Yes"

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