Emotional abuse, also referred to as psychological abuse, is non-physical behaviour that frightens, controls, or isolates the victim. Emotional abuse often accompanies other types of abuse, but it can be just as dangerous on its own.
Older people are especially vulnerable to abuse; research suggests that 1 in 6 older Australians have experienced abuse in the past year.
In this blog post, we will explore some signs and risk factors of emotional elder abuse. We will also provide some insight on what to do if you suspect someone is at risk of elder abuse, and how you can prevent this abuse from happening further.
Who is most vulnerable to elder emotional abuse?
The seniors in our community are incredibly vulnerable to abuse, so it is our job to look after them.
Older Australians may be more at risk for emotional abuse if they:
- Do not live with a partner; are unmarried or widowed
- Have mental or physical health impairments
- Live in a lower-income household or area
- Have debt or live in rental accommodation
- Have less frequent contact with family or friends
- Are living in someone else’s home, such as an adult child
What are the signs of emotional abuse against an elderly person?
Emotional abuse is often difficult to identify or to prove due to its gradual nature and to the control that it often has over the victim. The victim may not even realise they are being abused.
"If you put a frog in boiling water, it'll jump straight out. If you put it in cold water and gradually bring it to the boil, it'll sit right there until it dies."
– John Niven
Common signs of emotional elder abuse include:
- Self-neglect
- Self-devaluation
- Minimising their own needs
- Resignation, withdrawal
- Fearfulness
- Confusion
- Agitation or anger
- Shyness
- Rocking back and forth
- A decline in self-esteem
- Self-harm
- Worry or anxiety before, during, or after seeing a specific person
- Avoidance of eye contact with a specific person
- Changes in appetite or sleep patterns
- Social withdrawal
Who might inflict emotional elder abuse?
Perpetrators of emotional elder abuse are usually someone whom the victim should be able to trust.
The most common perpetrators are:
- an adult child or stepchild
- a grandchild
- a partner
- a paid caregiver
- an acquaintance such as a neighbour
Abuse may be intentional or unintentional, but it is never okay. The perpetrator may not even realise they are being abusive due to underlying factors, such as poor mental health.
What kind of behaviours are emotionally abusive?
Common emotionally abusive behaviours include:
- Pressuring, bullying, intimidating
- Verbal abuse, name-calling
- Yelling
- Silent treatment
- Child-like treatment
- Threats to harm a person or their pets
- Threats to sell or destroy property
- Emotional blackmail, such as threats to withdraw access to people or services
- Preventing contact with family and friends
- Denying access to phone or computer
- Withholding mail
- Preventing engagement with religion or culture
- Relocating them away from family or friends
How you can help an older person you suspect is at risk
Elderly people are amongst the most vulnerable of our community, so preventing elder abuse is everyone’s job. Research shows that 6 in 10 older Australians experiencing abuse do not seek help.
You can help prevent emotional elder abuse by:
- Calling the elder abuse phone line (1800 353 374)
- Our free Elder Abuse Prevention and Support Service (1300 063 232)
- Making a complaint with the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission
- Contacting 000 if it is an emergency
If you or an older person you know may be a victim of elder abuse, our experienced counsellors are here to help. We can help you explore your concerns and possible solutions in a safe and supportive environment.
You can learn more about our Elder Abuse Prevention and Support Service here, or call 1300 063 232.