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| Definitions & signs |
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Abandonment
Definition: The desertion or willful forsaking of a vulnerable adult or the withdrawal or neglect of duties and obligations owed a dependent adult by a caretaker or other person.
Warning signs or indicators:
- The desertion of a vulnerable adult at a hospital, a nursing facility, or other similar institution.
- The desertion of a person at a shopping center or other public location.
- A person's own report of being abandoned.
Caregiver abuse & neglect
Definition: Neglect is the failure (whether intentional, careless or due to inadequate experience, training or skill) to provide basic care or services when agreed to by legal, contractual or otherwise assumed responsibility.
Warning signs or indicators:
- The person being cared for is not given the opportunity to speak for themselves without the presence of the caregiver.
- The caregiver has an attitude of indifference or anger toward the person they are caring for.
- Family members of the caregiver blame the person being cared for (frequently goes with incontinence).
- The caregiver exhibits aggressive behavior, including threats, insults or harassment toward the person being cared for.
- The caregiver has a previous history of abuse to others.
- The caregiver has problems with drugs or alcohol.
- The caregiver exhibits inappropriate displays of affection towards the person being cared for.
- The caregiver isolates family members from the person being cared for.
- The caregiver is unwilling to work with other care providers on a care plan for the person being cared for.
- Dirt, fecal/urine smell or other health and safety hazards in elder's living environment.
- Leaving an elder in an unsafe or isolated place.
- Rashes, sores, lice on the elder.
- Malnourishment or dehydration with sudden weight loss.
- Untreated medical condition.
Financial exploitation
Definition: Financial exploitation is the illegal or improper use of another individual’s resources for profit or gain.
Warning signs or indicators:
- Unusual or inappropriate activity surrounding investment properties or in bank accounts, including the use of ATM cards, to make large or repeated withdrawals.
- Signatures on checks, etc. that do not resemble the person's signature, or signatures when the person cannot write.
- Power of attorney given, or recent changes in or creation of a will or trust, when the person is incapable of making such decisions.
- Unpaid bills, overdue rent, utility shut-off notices.
- Excessive spending by a caregiver on himself for new clothing, jewelry, automobiles.
- Lack of spending on the care of the person, including personal grooming items.
- Missing personal belongings, such as art, silverware or jewelry.
- Recent sale of assets and properties.
If you believe someone is being subjected to consumer fraud or financial exploitation, contact the Financial Fraud Section, Department of Justice in Salem at 503-378-4732.
Physical abuse
Definition: Physical abuse is the use of excessive force, physical assault, or physical contact with an individual including, but not limited to hitting, slapping, biting, pinching or shoving, or the inappropriate use of restraints.
Warning signs or indicators:
- Cuts, lacerations, punctures, wounds.
- Bruises, welts, discolorations, grip marks.
- Any unexplained injury that doesn't fit with the given explanation of the injury.
- Any injury incompatible with the person's history of unexplained injuries.
- Any injury which has not been properly cared for (sometimes injuries are hidden on areas of the body normally covered by clothing).
- Poor skin condition or poor skin hygiene.
- Dehydration and/or malnourishment without illness-related cause.
- Unexplained loss of weight.
- Burns, possibly caused by cigarettes, caustics, acids or friction from ropes or chains.
- Soiled clothing or bed linens.
- Overmedication.
Psychological and emotional abuse
Definition: Psychological abuse or verbal abuse is the use of derogatory names, phrases, or profanity; ridicule; threats; or intimidation toward an individual, or denial of civil rights which results in emotional injury.
Warning signs or indicators:
- Humiliating, insulting or threatening language directed at the person.
- Language or actions that treat the adult like a child.
- Signs of helplessness, hesitation to talk openly, fear, withdrawal, depression, denial, agitation, anger, confusion or disorientation in the person.
Self-neglect
Definition: Self-neglect is one’s inability to understand the consequences of his/her actions or inaction which leads or may lead to harm or endangerment to him/her or other persons. This applies only to community protective services.
Warning signs or indicators:
- Inability to manage personal finances including hoarding or squandering assets, giving money away or failing to pay bills.
- Inability to manage activities of daily living, including personal care, shopping, meal preparation and housework.
- Suicidal acts, wanderings, refusing medical attention, isolation, substance abuse.
- Lack of toilet facilities.
- Animal-infested living quarters resulting in a dangerous situation.
- Rashes, sores, fecal/urine smell, inadequate clothing, malnourishment, dehydration.
- Changes in intellectual functions, including disorientation, memory failure, incoherence.
- Refusal to take medications.
Sexual abuse
Definition: Sexual abuse is sexual contact that is forced, tricked, threatened, or otherwise coerced upon another person.
Warning signs or indicators:
- Unexplained vaginal or anal bleeding.
- Torn or bloody underwear.
- Bruised breasts.
- Venereal diseases or vaginal infections.
- Sudden changes in the emotional or psychological state of the person.
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