• As America's population ages, the cases of elder abuse increase as well, according to the 2003 study "Elder Mistreatment: Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation in an Aging America" by the National Research Council. The researchers estimate that between 1 million and 2 million people age 65 and over are abused by a caregiver, either physically, emotionally or financially. Knowing how to spot the characteristics of an abused elder can help alleviate or even prevent the mistreatment.
  
  

Physical Characteristics

• An abused elderly person who is suffering from physical abuse may have bruises, welts, abrasions or other outward signs of injury, including open wounds, punctures or broken bones. Signs of sexual abuse include bruising or bleeding around the genitals or breasts and venereal or genital infections. Victims may also suffer from problems that are more difficult to spot, such as internal injuries, medication overdoses or improper use of medications. If the caregiver is unwilling or cannot explain suspicious injuries, the elderly person may be the victim of abuse, according to Helpguide.org, a nonprofit organization composed of psychologists, social workers and other professionals that provides information on aging and other life issues.
  
  

Emotional Characteristics

• Emotional abuse against the elderly can take the form of verbal or nonverbal abuse or aggression. Helpguide.org's fact sheet on elder abuse and neglect warns that an elderly person may be a victim of abuse if you witness the caregiver yelling or threatening the elderly person. The caregiver may also refuse to allow you to speak to or visit the elderly person. In addition, an emotionally abused elder may seem unusually agitated or withdrawn. He might also exhibit behavior that is easy to confuse with dementia, including rocking back and forth or talking or mumbling to himself.
  
  

Signs of Neglect

• The elderly may also be victims of neglect. Those signs include weight loss, dehydration and malnutrition in the case of an improper diet. An elderly person victimized by neglect may also show signs of poor personal hygiene or his clothing and bedding may be soiled. In addition, you might suspect neglect if the elderly person's living conditions are unsafe---for instance, her home may lack hot water or heat.
  
  

Financial Issues

• Elderly people are susceptible to financial exploitation. Watch for unexplained withdrawals from bank accounts, changes in wills or other legal documents, purchases of unneeded services or goods, and the disappearance of jewelry or other personal items.