This document outlines different types of abuse that can affect vulnerable adults, including physical, sexual, emotional, financial, institutional, self-neglect, and neglect by others. For each type of abuse, the document describes signs that could indicate it is occurring and common effects on those experiencing the abuse. The overall message is that abuse has serious negative impacts and should not be tolerated. Glendale Wellness Centre aims to prevent abuse and ensure the needs and well-being of clients are prioritized.

1. Abuse in adults
A guidance presentation

2. Contents
● What forms abuse takes
● Physical abuse, the signs and the effects
● Sexual abuse, the signs and the effects
● Emotional abuse, the signs and the effects
● Financial abuse, the signs and the effects
● Institutional abuse, the signs and the effects
● Self-neglect, the signs and the effects
● Neglect from others, the signs and the effects
●

3. Abuse
You have to know what different types of abuse
there are, as there are many that you may not
have thought of as abuse before.
Physical, sexual, emotional/psychological,
financial, institutional, self-neglect and neglect
by others are all forms of abuse.

4. Physical abuse
A deliberate use of physical force, which can result in pain,
injury or impairment.
In this centre we do not tolerate the inappropriate use of
technique or treatment, involuntary isolation and misuse of
medication treatments; these are all abuse.
At Glendale we have careful monitoring of all kinds of
abuse and their effects. The effects of physical abuse are
devastating, and can ruin lives.

5. The signs of physical abuse
If you see or suspect any maltreatment you should report it
to the relevant authority straight away.
● Forced restraint is evident in bruising around arms and
wrists
● Misuse of medication includes not allowing appropriate
pain medication to be given, or giving additional sedatives
when they are not needed
● Burns or scars in odd shapes and places, such as that
from cigarette ends or weapons
● As well as broken bones, or untreated old wounds.

6. The effects of physical abuse
Alongside physical effects like impairments and permanent
injury this form of abuse can break down relationships at
the centre, and have a domino affect with their lives
outside.
They could feel guarded and not want to be open with
people anymore. They could slip out of their daily
functioning from irrational fear brought on from the abuse.
Mental health issues may arise, such as anxiety disorders
from fear of physical abuse, they may turn to alternative
methods of coping other than more treatment like that of
drug abuse. This may spiral into other more dangerous
forms of mental health disorders.
We do not tolerate physical abuse.

7. Sexual abuse
Consent is paramount in sexual interactions. Sexual
interactions whether direct or indirect without consent is
abuse.
Consent is not given if the person does not want to
consent, they are unable to consent through lack of
understanding or they feel that they are being forced into
consenting, through threats or other forms of psychological
abuse.
Sexual abuse can also take the forms of vaginal or anal
rape, inappropriate touching, forcing an individual to see
indecent material and sexual innuendoes

8. The signs of sexual abuse
Immediate signs of sexual abuse include;
● Soreness or injury or genital area (vaginal or anal)
● Bruising, and small wounds from scratching or biting over
the chest and inner thigh area
● Unexplained sudden sexual knowledge or engagement in
inappropriate sexual conversation
There are also more mental signs of sexual abuse;
● Sudden withdrawal from social contact
● Avoidance of being alone with a certain people/group of
people

9. The effects of sexual abuse
This is very serious, and very life changing for those who
experience it. The effects may include,
● Low self-esteem and self-hatred
● Guilt, shame or blame themselves for what has happened
to them because they did not stop it or felt pleasure
● Many adult survivors find themselves in dangerous,
serious or abusive relationships
● Eating disorders to gain some control over their lives or
punish themselves
● Sleeping disorders or nightmares are common also
We do not tolerate sexual abuse

10. Emotional/psychological abuse
A vulnerable adults mental well-being is fragile, even
without abuse against them. If another damages
someone's mental well-being, dignity or self worth, it is
emotional abuse.
Threats, bullying, intimidation, humiliation or other verbal
conduct all can cause mental or physical distress. Even
making decisions for them that they have a right to be
apart of can be abuse.
It is sometimes more harmful than other forms of abuse
because it diminishes the adults identity, dignity and self
worth. It removes their person-hood

11. The signs of emotional abuse
Signs vary through age and gender but there are
constants throughout both;
● Being overly dependant/totally withdrawn
● Social, emotional or academic delays
● Feelings of shame/guilt
● Self-destructive behaviour
● Demonstrate compulsions, hysteria, obsessions and
phobias
● Unusual weight gain/loss and changes in appetite
● Unexplained anxiety or depressive states

12. The effects of emotional abuse
The short term and long term effects are different but
equally devastating. We do not tolerate emotional abuse.
● Feelings manipulated and controlled
● Becoming overly compliant/passive
● Withdrawal and disinterest/self-isolation
● Emotional instability
● Sleep disruptions/disorders
● Feeling trapped and alone
● Substance abuse is also common

13. Financial abuse
This control or dominance over another persons money or
personal possession, telling them whether or not they can
spend it, and often ends in gains for the dominant person
who has no right to that money.
If you suspect anyone, even family members or other
visitors to the clients here of financial abuse please tell the
relevant authorities or supervisor.
Some vulnerable adults have no ability to talk about what
is happening. It is a very sensitive issue one that we have
no real right to address ourselves unless we have a strong
suspicion as we cannot have access to their accounts.
Also if adults in our care have mental health issues their
complaints may not be totally reliable, so use caution, but
always believe them at first.

14. The signs of financial abuse
These can be hard to spot especially in elderly adults who
wouldn't want to voice their worries, this can occur when
they have children whom they give money too who are
taking too much. Others are;
● A reluctance to spend money when money shouldn't be a
problem
● Missing money, credit card, bank card and chequebooks
● Being under pressure to change their will (for the family
benefit)
● No food in their home or in their rooms where they keep it

15. The effects of financial abuse
There are obvious effects like their inability to pay bills,
inability to buy food or afford things which they should.
There are other effects like these below;
● Feelings of distress of powerlessness
● On going financial strain on their lives
● They may be without things they desperately need, like
food, heating and medication
Keep it in mind that these people are vulnerable anyway,
so this will make them even more vulnerable. They need
support care, and someone to defend them professionally.

16. Institutional abuse
This is where the way an institution like Glendale wellness
centre is designed to override the needs of its clients in its
own interest. It is abuse that is in the nature of the way the
centre is set up, and constantly provides poor care for its
clients.
We pride ourselves on having a system that is wholly for
the people we have in our care. We are a wellness centre
designed to make vulnerable people better.
That being said, if you feel that this is a centre of
systematic abuse please report your concerns to the
relevant authorities.

17. The signs of institutional abuse
● The needs of the clients are not taken first, the activities
and choices available are for the convenience of the staff.
● People are diverse, if cultural and social needs are not met
this is abuse
● If there is an inflexibility for meal times, bed times, activity
or visiting times it can have adverse affects on the clients
● Restrictions on toilets, cleaning facilities and or resting
space
● Inadequate and inappropriate training and procedures that
staff have to work by

18. The effects of institutional abuse
There are obvious effects of institutional abuse,
but they all focus on the fact that the clients in
an institutions care are not getting the care they
need.
Whether this care is support, freedoms in
contained areas, treatment or medication.
The effects of long term institutional effects can
affect someone's mental well-being; feelings of
powerlessness, withdrawal and over
compliance are a few.

19. Self-Neglect
Self neglect can be unintentional and intentional. People
who have cognitive difficulties or who are confused
(Dementia) may not know they are neglecting themselves.
Intentional self-neglect can be the effect of a range of other
abuses, or a way to express their inner difficulties.
Because self-neglect can be caused by a range of reasons
we need to take every case very seriously and support
them with friendliness and empathy.

20. The signs of self-neglect
Neglect means not doing things that have a important role
and should be done. For the self these include,
● Not caring for their personal hygiene
● Not eating their food or overeating
● Not exercising
● Living in an unsanitary environment
● Self-harming
● When in need, not seeking medical or social care
● Not getting treatment for their illnesses

21. The effects of self-neglect
● Skin rashes
● Dehydration
● Malnutrition/under-nutrition
● Not having much needed aids like haring aids,
dentures and eye glasses
● Suffer from illness that they would not have had
if they were not neglecting themselves
● Serious impairments in vision or other bodily
functions

22. Neglect by others
Like self-neglect this is the deliberate (commission) or
unintentional (omission) failure to meet the clients needs,
be it emotional, or physical in ways of support or food,
heat, and sleep.
At Glendale we strive to have the best environment for
each of our clients, whether it is for religious or cultural
reasons, their special needs or preferences. Our focus is
them 100% of the time.
If you feel their needs are not being adequately met, from
their daily routine, the resources they have access to or
simply the way they are treated daily, please do not
hesitate to voice your opinion to your supervisor.

23. The signs of neglect
● Their right to choose/ decide is not being recognised
● Not providing the appropriate food, sleeping
arrangements, shelter or feeling of safety
● Not giving/withholding
● Not allowing the client to have visitors or access to
others
● Not meeting their emotional, physical or social needs
● Not reporting abuse (duty of care)

24. The effects of neglect
The effects of neglect are detrimental to the person
● Confidence or social skills may diminish, and
● They may loose contact with their support groups.
● Poor nutrition can lead to bad physical and psychological
growth
● They may have difficulties with relationships
● Mental health issues may develop from isolation, including
mood disorders like depression and emotional instability