Introduction

People with Alzheimer’s are vulnerable to abuse by people close to them. They may also fall prey to strangers who take advantage of their cognitive impairment.

Types of abuse

• Physical — causing physical pain or injury

• Emotional — verbal assaults, threats of abuse, harassment and intimidation

• Neglect — failure to provide necessities, including food, clothing, shelter or medical care

• Confinement — restraining or isolating the person

• Financial — the misuse or withholding of the person’s resources to his or her disadvantage or the advantage of someone else

• Sexual abuse — touching, fondling or any sexual activity when the person is unable to understand, unwilling to consent or threatened or physically forced

• Willful deprivation — willfully denying the person medication, medical care, food, shelter, or physical assistance, and thereby exposing the individual with Alzheimer’s to the risk of physical, mental or emotional harm
  
  American Medical News (1992), vol. 35, no. 46

Coping with stress

Caregivers — both family and professionals — are most often the abusers of older people. In many cases, stress and frustration may provoke unintentional violent feelings in caregivers.

Family caregivers may feel isolated, depressed and resentful toward their loved as the disease progresses and may become abusive without realizing it. Other issues, such as substance abuse, emotional problems and dependency, may also lead to mistreatment.

If you are having difficulty dealing with stress related to caregiving, talk to someone for support. Contact a professional counselor, your clergy or a support group.

To find a support group in your area, contact your local Alzheimer's Association. You can also get support by calling us any time, day or night at 1.800.272.3900.

Reporting abuse

To report an incident of elder abuse, call the Elder Care Locator at 1.800.677.1116. For more information about elder abuse, visit the National Center on Elder Abuse Web site.