Elder Neglect
Elder neglect is usually committed by a family member or other caregiver. Unfortunately, elder neglect usually happens because the family member feels overburdened or angered by any inconvenience. Elder neglect is similar to emotional elder abuse, physical elder abuse and financial elder abuse, but it is in it’s own category because it highlights the neglectful actions of a caregiver. Neglect means the caregiver knowingly and even maliciously does not take care of the elder. Neglect usually occurs in the form of:
- malnourishment
- starvation
- under medicating
- not medicating at all
- not seeking medical treatment for the elder
- not dressing the elder appropriately
- leaving the elder outside during bad weather
- not caring for the elder’s physical ailments
- being harsh or cruel to the elder
- not speaking to the elder at all
- being withdrawn and depressed
- losing weight and appearing malnourished
- injuries that are untreated
- injuries that don’t heal
- being underdressed for weather conditions
- being left unattended










