Warnings of Elder Abuse

There is a growing concern of elder abuse.Aging individuals that suffer from mental diseases like dementia areparticularly vulnerable to abuse. Below are warning signs that can be helpfulto raise a suspicion of elder abuse. Taken individually these warnings are notinherently meaningful. However, any combination of these signs could indicate aproblem with abuse. 

1. The caregiver is secretive about the elder’sfinances. 
2. The elder is financially supporting thecaregiver. 
3. The caregiver isolates the elder fromothers. 
4. The caregiver insists on being in the roomwhen anyone else is present. 
5. The caregiver has a history of substanceabuse.
6. There are changes in the estate planningpaperwork.
7. The caregiver moves the elder to his homewithout warning. 

See CarolynRosenblatt, Is a Family Member Ripping Off Your Aging Parent?,Forbes, Apr. 22, 2013.