Physical abuse is the infliction of harm or injury on a dependent or elder adult person by someone who stands in a position of trust, or who has care or custody of the elder or dependent person. Physical force that may result in bodily injury, physical pain, or impairment may include, but is not limited to:

• Beating
• Burning
• Force-feeding
• Hitting
• Physical restraint
• Punishment
• Sexual assault
• Shaking
• Slapping
• Unwarranted administration of drugs

Financial abuse is using the elder or dependent adult's money or assets contrary to their wishes, needs, or best interests, or for the abuser's personal gain. It may also be accomplished by undue influence. Undue influence is when a person in a position of trust, coerces a vulnerable elder into giving away or loaning money or property, either directly, or through a trust, marriage, inheritance, or adoption.

Examples of Financial Abuse

• Taking money or other items from the home, bank, or security accounts
• Selling or transferring the elder's property
• Failing to provide agreed-upon services to the elder or dependent adult, such as caregiving, home or vehicle repair, or financial management
• Using the elder or dependent adult's credit card for unauthorized purchases or using the elder's name or credit to open new accounts
• Misusing the elder or dependent adult's Power of Attorney
• Refusing to return money or assets borrowed from them as agreed upon, or when requested
• Creating or changing living trusts for the benefit of the abuser; or changing a will or other inheritance so the abuser benefits

Undue influence refers to a situation where a person manipulates or takes advantage of another individual, causing the influenced individual to act otherwise than by their own free will or without adequate attention to the consequences. When someone exerts undue influence over a dependent adult, they manipulate the vulnerable individual's decisions or actions to their own benefit.

Examples of undue influence:

• Promising the elder or dependent adult to take care of them for the rest of the elder's life
• Lying to them, that no one else cares about them
• Isolating them from social contact with other family members, friends, and society
• Intercepting their mail, phone calls, and visitors
• Worrying them with the fear of losing their house and being placed in a nursing home
• Manipulating their food intake or medication so they become weak and compliant
• Threatening them with harm, neglect, or abandonment if they doesn't agree to obey the abuser

Psychological or emotional abuse towards an elder or dependent adult refers to actions or behaviors that inflict distress, mental pain, fear, or distress. This form of abuse is often characterized by a person acting in a way to control, isolate, or frighten a dependent adult. The abuse can be verbal or nonverbal and may include the following:

• Humiliation and Degradation: The abuser insults, ridicules, or consistently makes the dependent adult feel unvalued or worthless.
• Isolation: The abuser may prevent the dependent adult from interacting with others or restrict their access to the outside world. This could involve limiting contact with family and friends, taking away communication devices, or confining them to their home or room.
• Threats and Intimidation: The abuser might use threats of harm, abandonment, or institutionalization to control the dependent adult.
• Manipulation: The abuser may use emotional manipulation tactics, such as guilt-tripping or gaslighting, to confuse and control the dependent adult.
• Neglect: Ignoring the dependent adult's emotional needs, failing to provide necessary care, or withholding affection or approval as punishment can also constitute emotional abuse.

It's important to note that psychological and emotional abuse can be very subtle and may not leave visible scars, but its effects can be just as harmful as physical abuse, if not more so. It can lead to serious emotional distress, including anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and other mental health problems.

Neglect occurs when a caregiver denies an elder or dependent adult food, medication, proper clothing or hygiene, or medical attention. Neglect includes, but is not limited to:

• Failure to assist with personal hygiene
• Failure to provide clothing and shelter
• Failure to provide medical care

Markers of Abuse or Neglect

• Agitation
• Confusion
• Denial
• Depression
• Embarrassment
• Fearfulness
• Hesitates to speak freely or openly
• Implausible explanations for things
• Isolation from family, friends, regular activity, social contact
• Expressing undue intimidation
• Poor eye-contact
• Verbal assaults
• Withdrawn

• Family Members
• Caretakers – paid or volunteer
• Strangers met in public, over the phone, or those who come to the door
• Professionals hired by the elder (accountants, bankers, lawyers, doctors)

• District Attorney Elder and Dependent Abuse Unit: 209-468-2488
• San Joaquin County Family Justice Center: 209-468-2600
• District Attorney Victim-Witness Services: 209-468-2500
  
• San Joaquin County Adult Protective Services: 209-468-3780
  
• Adult Protective Services Association: 1-888-800-4800
  
• National Elder Abuse Hotline: 1-800-677-1116
  
• Eldercare Locator: 1-800-677-1116
  
• If there is an immediate threat to the life of an elder or dependent adult, please call 9-1-1 immediately!