PHYSICAL

• Shoving, drugging, starving, hitting, scratching, kicking or hurting.

• Restraining unnecessarily.

• Touching inappropriately.

Look for:

• Repeated "accidental" injuries.

• Sudden change of behavior.

• Caregiver won't let elder be seen alone.

• Hints of being afraid.

EMOTIONAL

• Isolating from family or friends.

• Verbally assaulting, mocking, threatening or harassing.

• Ignoring or treating like an infant.

Look for:

• Unexplained depression.

• Withdrawal.

FINANCIAL

• Taking money, possessions or property.

• Coercing an elder into signing documents, like power of attorney or will.

• Scams.

Look for:

• Changes in banking practices.

• New names on bank cards.

• Unpaid bills or poor health care.

• New special friends or previously uninvolved relatives.

NEGLECT

• Inadequate food, water, clothing, shelter, personal hygiene, medicine or other life essentials.

• Inadequate supervision.

Look for:

• Malnutrition, bedsores.

• Hazardous living conditions.

• Missing glasses, dentures, walker.

• Missed medical appointments.

• Underuse or overdose of medication.

• Won't let anyone in home.

• Expired food and medicine.

• Hoards possessions or pets.

• Bugs, rodents, smells in home.

WHO TO CONTACT

• If in immediate danger, call 911.

• To report suspected abuse, Dane County Elder Abuse Helpline: 608-261-9933.

• To find the elder abuse agency in any county: www.dhfs.wisconsin.gov/aging/elderabuse/agencies.htm

• For legal help, Coalition of Wisconsin Aging Groups Elder Law Center: 608-224-0660 or 800-488-2596 will get you to the general number.

• To report abuse in a state licensed facility, the state Division of Quality Assurance, 608-266-8481, or the state ombudsman program: 800-815-0015.

• To find elder resources in any U.S. community: The Eldercare Locator: 800-677-1116, or www.eldercare.gov/Eldercare/Public/Home.asp

SOURCES: National Center on Elder Abuse; Wisconsin Department of Health and Family Services; Dane County Department of Human Services