This document provides training on recognizing and responding to elder abuse. It defines an elderly person as age 60 or older impaired in caring for themselves. The goals are to understand aging characteristics and appropriately respond to elder crises. Objectives include identifying aging physiological changes, communication techniques, assistance resources, abuse definitions, and investigative steps. Abuse types discussed are physical, emotional, sexual, neglect/abandonment, and financial exploitation. Characteristics of the elderly population and the aging process are also outlined.

1. Elder Abuse
Investigations
Training Division

2. Lesson Goal
To provide students with necessary knowledge
of recognizing the issues and medical
conditions related to an aging population and
appropriately responding to crisis situations of
the elderly and elder abuse

3. Objectives
 Identify characteristics of the elderly population.
 Identify physiological changes related to the aging
process.
 Identify how to communicate with an elderly person.
 Identify resources that may provide assistance to the
elderly.
 Define elderly person.
 Define and identify the abuse of elderly persons.
 Define exploitation of an elderly person.
 Understand elderly abuse investigative steps.

4. Identify characteristics of the elderly
population.
As Florida’s elderly population increases,
law enforcement officers will interact with
older people more frequently than ever
before and in a variety of settings. This
increased interaction requires that officers
become more aware of this group’s special
needs to ensure that older Floridians have
the full protection of the law.

5. Identify characteristics of the elderly
population.
Understanding the aging process and
characteristics of the elderly
population helps law enforcement
officers relate to Florida’s senior
citizens in a positive and constructive
manner.

6. Identify characteristics of the
elderly population.
Elderly people tend to be vulnerable
to crime and neglect and are
reluctant to report crimes committed
against them. Conversely, they often
live in fear of crime. They commit
only a small percentage of crimes—
mostly misdemeanors.

7. Identify characteristics of the
elderly population.
Generally, older people have a positive attitude
toward law enforcement. Most members of the
elderly population live at home, close to or with
family members. A small percentage lives in
nursing homes. Some elderly people require
caregivers, and others who are chronically
impaired require long-term care. Medical and
personal services may be provided in hospitals,
nursing homes, assisted living facilities, or
personal residences. Many elderly individuals
receive assistance through federal or state
programs, and more than one quarter of them
have income below or just above the poverty
level.

8. The Aging Process
Advancing in age is not
synonymous with disease and
disability. Many older people
are active and healthy
throughout their lives.
However, almost everyone who
lives to a certain age
experiences a number of
normal physiological changes.
In addition, the chances of
developing certain medical
conditions increase with age.

9. The Aging Process
As people age, they
may experience
changes in their
eyesight, including a
loss of visual acuity
and a deterioration of
depth, distance, and
peripheral perceptions.

10. The Aging Process
In addition, hearing
loss and the loss of the
ability to tell where a
sound originates may
occur. These changes
may limit a person’s
mobility, increase the
likelihood of accidents,
or lead to fear and
isolation.

11. The Aging Process
OTHER RESULTS OF THE AGING PROCESS MAY INCLUDE:
 Changes in sense of touch including:
 Less likely to experience pain
 Less likely to notice injury
 Skin become easily torn or ripped and bruising from every day
activities may occur
 Loss of balance
 Falls may occur more often
 More susceptible to:
 Heat Stroke/ Heat Exhaustion
 Hypothermia

12. The Aging Process
OTHER RESULTS OF THE AGING PROCESS MAY INCLUDE:
 Loss of muscle agility
 Arthritis
 Loss of cognitive ability (ability to think, learn and remember)
Officers should be patient when interviewing elderly people
because it may take them longer than younger people to
explain what they saw or experienced.

13. The Aging Process
Some elderly people suffer from
chronic medical conditions—such as
dementia or Alzheimer’s disease—
that result in residual disabilities
requiring long-term management or
care.

14. Dementia
Dementia is an organic, progressive
mental disorder characterized by loss of
memory, impairment of judgment and
abstract thinking, and changes in
personality; the frequently used term
“senile” has a negative connotation and
should be avoided. These patients
experience progressive declines in
mental functions.

15. The Aging Process
Overmedication or drug mixing
may create a condition that
resembles dementia. This is an
important consideration for the
responding officer to keep in mind.
Elderly individuals may also
experience a variety of mental
illnesses, such as schizophrenia
and depression.

16. The Aging Process
Suicide among elderly is high in comparison to
other demographics due to:
•Depression
•Death of a loved one
•Loss of
independence
•Financial inadequacy

17. Communicating with the Elderly

18. Communicating with the Elderly
As with any other citizen, the way an
officer communicates with an elderly
person affects that person’s view of law
enforcement. Just because a person is
elderly does not mean he or she is
simple minded.

19. Communicating with the Elderly
When communicating with an older
person, the officer should always
treat him or her with dignity, respect,
and patience.

20. Communicating with the Elderly
The officer should
speak directly to the
person, establishing
and maintaining eye
contact, and should
use a conversational
tone, speaking loudly
only if necessary.

21. Communicating with the Elderly
In addition, the officer should include
the person in all discussions
concerning his or her welfare and
should adjust communication based
on any disabilities or other
limitations.

22. Assistance to the Elderly
A variety of health and social services are
available to assist older individuals and
their families.
• Home-delivered meals
• Medical care
• Emotional support
• Financial management
• Assistance with daily activities

23. Assistance to the Elderly
The following can be used to locate
elderly assistance (24 Hour Service):
Florida Elder Help Line
1-800-96-ELDER
Florida Abuse Registry Hotline
1-800-96-ABUSE

24. Definition: Elderly Person
An elderly person is a person 60 years of
age or older who is suffering from the
infirmities of aging as manifested by
advanced age or organic brain damage,
or other physical, mental, or emotional
dysfunction, to the extent that the ability
of the person to provide adequately for
his own care or protection is impaired.

25. Definition: Elderly Abuse
 Active encouragement of any person to
commit an act that results or could
reasonably be expected to result in
physical or psychological injury to an
elderly person or disabled adult.
 An intentional act that could reasonably
be expected to result in physical or
psychological injury to an elderly person
or disabled adult
 Intentional infliction of physical or
psychological injury upon an elderly
person

26. Florida Statute (825.01)
Definition: Caregiver
A person who has been entrusted with or has
assumed responsibility for the care or the
property of a disabled adult or elderly person;
includes, but is not limited to, relatives, court
appointed or voluntary guardians, adult
household members, neighbors, health care
providers, and employees and volunteers of
facilities.

27. Florida Statute 825.102 (2)
aggravated abuse of an elderly person occurs when
a person:
(a) Commits aggravated battery on an elderly person or disabled
adult;
(b) Willfully tortures, maliciously punishes, or willfully and unlawfully
cages, an elderly person or disabled adult; or
(c) Knowingly or willfully abuses an elderly person or disabled adult
and in so doing causes great bodily harm, permanent disability, or
permanent disfigurement to the elderly person or disabled adult. A
person who commits aggravated abuse of an elderly person
commits a felony of the first degree punishable as provided in s.
775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084. A person who commits lewd
or lascivious battery upon an elderly person commits a second
degree felony (825.1025(2).

28. F.S.S. 825.103(2)(a)
Defines Exploitation of Elderly
When someone knowingly, by deception or
intimidation, endeavors to obtain or use an
elderly person’s funds, assets or property. The
suspect’s intent must be to deprive the person
of the use, benefit, or possession of the funds,
assets, or property, or to benefit someone
other than the elderly person temporarily or
permanently. A person who exploits an elderly
person whose property value is $100,000 or
more commits a first degree felony.

29. Types of Elderly Abuse
PHYSICAL ABUSE
Physical abuse is non-
accidental use of force
against an elderly person
that results in physical
pain, injury or impairment.
Such abuse includes not
only physical assaults such
as hitting or shoving but
the inappropriate use of
drugs, restraints or
confinement.

31. Emotional Abuse
In emotional or psychological senior abuse, people speak to or
treat elderly persons in ways that cause emotional pain or
distress.
Verbal Forms include:
 Intimidation through yelling or threats
 Humiliation and ridicule
 Habitual blaming or scapegoating
Nonverbal psychological abuse may include:
 Ignoring the elderly person
 Isolating an elder from friends or activities
 Terrorizing or menacing the elderly person

32. Sexual Abuse
Sexual elder abuse is contact with an elderly
person without the elder’s consent. Such
contact can include physical sex acts, but
activities such as showing an elderly person
pornographic material, forcing the elderly
person to watch sex acts, or forcing the elder
to undress are also considered sexual elder
abuse.

33. Neglect or Abandonment
Elder neglect, failure to fulfill a caretaking
obligation, constitutes more than half of all
reported cases of elder abuse. It can be active
(intentional) or passive (unintentional, based
on factors such as ignorance or denial that an
elderly charge needs as much care as he or she
does).

36. Financial Exploitation
This involves unauthorized
use of an elderly person’s
funds or property, either
by a caregiver or an
outside scam artist.

37. Financial Exploitation
An unscrupulous caregiver might:
 Misuse an elder’s personal checks,
credit cards, or accounts
 Steal cash, income checks, or
household goods
 Forge the elder’s signature
 Engage in identity theft
Typical rackets that target elders
include:
 Announcements of a “prize” that the
elderly person has won but must pay
money to claim
 Phony charities
 Investment fraud

38. Investigative Note
An officer may become aware of suspected abuse or
neglect of an elderly person during the course of a
separate investigation, through direct contact with a
citizen in the community or through dispatch;
 Remember the reporter or complainant may have
valuable information to aid in the investigation
 Conversely, complainant may have a negative agenda
 Officer should ensure to keep the reporter’s
information confidential

39. Verification of Alleged Elderly
Abuse
Initial Actions
 Upon responding to a
report provide
necessary medical aid
 If medical aid is not
required, immediately
isolate and interview
the victim, witnesses,
and/or complainant

40. Verification of Alleged Elderly
Abuse
If practical, the officer should
observe firsthand the living
conditions of the elderly person by
asking to see his or her living area,
bedroom, or sleeping area. The
officer should also ask to see and
speak with the elderly person. The
officer should observe the person’s
hygiene and note if it looks as if
someone is taking care of the
individual? What does it smell like?
Is there appropriate food in the
kitchen and refrigerator? The officer
should try to determine if the elderly
person has special needs that are
unmet.

41. Verification of Alleged Elderly
Abuse
Observations
 Make a note of the living conditions and
ensure to ask the elderly subject to specify
their living area
 Note the elderly person’s hygiene and
decide if it appears that person is taken care
of
 Note if appropriate food is in the kitchen and
refrigerator
 Attempt to identify special needs which are
not being met by the caretaker

42. Verification of Alleged Elderly
Abuse
Medical Specifics
 Determine if subject is on any
prescribed medication
 Look around the house to find any
such medicine
 Attempt to determine if that
medicine affects comprehension or
awareness
 Ensure to check for medical
bracelets or necklaces
 Check if subject has a
membership card for a support
group to assist in determining
person’s mental state

43. Verification of Alleged Elderly
Abuse
Remember…
 Signs of abuse or exploitation may not be obvious
while the room may appear hygienic, the caretaker
may not allow the subject to leave the room
 It is important to reserve judgment about people’s
lives and lifestyle choices
 Standards of living deviate, however the officer is
looking for care not being provided by a caretaker
which places the elderly person’s health in jeopardy

44. Responding to an Elderly Person Being
Victimized
 Be prepared to take action to ensure the safety
of the victim upon arrival
 Recognize the victim’s reactions and respond
accordingly:
 Loud or argumentative can signal impending violence
 Crying or laughing may express the victim’s relief an
officer has finally arrived
 Quiet or regressive behavior may indicate suffering
 Be sensitive, observe carefully, speak simply,
and have patience.

45. Develop a Plan of Action To Remove
the Threat
When an officer learns of a case of abuse,
neglect, or exploitation of a disabled adult or
elderly person, the criminal conduct becomes a
public concern, not merely a private family
matter and the officer should immediately
remove the threat to the victim. If a crime has
occurred, identify the statute violated.

46. Don’t just sit there…Take Action!!!
 Florida State Statute requires an officer who knows, or has
reasonable cause to suspect, that an elderly person is
abused, neglected or exploited immediately report such
knowledge or suspicion to the DCF Abuse Hot Line.
1-800-96-ABUSE
 Issue a Silver Alert if situation involves a missing
elderly person who suffers from dementia or a cognitive
impairment, and is thought to be endangered.

47. Conclusion
As Florida’s elderly population increases,
law enforcement officers will interact with
older people more frequently than ever
before and in a variety of settings. This
increased interaction requires that officers
become more aware of this groups special
needs to ensure that older Floridians have
the full protection of the law. You may be
the only guardian a person in need has.

48. TEST
(PLEASE HIT THE “ENTER” BUTTON FOR INSTRUCTIONS)
Please be sure to complete the test for this
training. Students must score a minimum of
80% (12 of 15) correct to receive credit for this
course. Click on the link below when you are
ready to take the test. Print and complete the
test and return it to the Training Coordinator.
Once your test has been reviewed you will
receive a training certificate. If you are
prepared to take the test please hit “enter”.
WRITTEN TEST