San Diego County District Attorney

• Call light is not functioning or is removed from resident’s reach
• Development or worsening of pressure sores
• Excessive weight loss
• Unusual or recurring scratches, bruises, skin tears or welts
• Bilateral bruising (bruises on opposite sides of the body)
• "Wrap around" bruises (bruises that typically encircle the arm)
• Torn, stained or bloody underclothing
• Signs of excessive drugging
• Foul smelling, uncombed or matted hair
• Patches of hair missing or bleeding scalp
• Injuries that are incompatible with explanations
• Injuries caused by biting, cutting, pinching or twisting of limbs
• Burns caused by scalding water, cigarettes or ropes
• Any injuries that reflect an outline of an object, for example a belt, cord or hand

• Withdrawn
• Confused or extremely forgetful
• Depressed
• Helpless or angry
• Hesitant to talk freely
• Frightened
• Secretive

• Disappearance of papers, checkbooks or legal documents.
• Staff assisting residents with credit card purchases or ATM withdrawals.
• Lack of amenities, such as appropriate clothing, grooming items, etc.
• Bills unpaid despite availability of adequate financial resources.
• Unusual activity in bank accounts, such as withdrawals from automatic teller machines when the person cannot get to the bank.
• Provision of services that are not necessary or requested.
• The appearance of a stranger who begins a close relationship and offers to manage the elder’s finances and assets.

Isolation of an elder is an insidious tool used by many abusers. Accomplished with the systematic exclusion of all real outside contact, the elder victim is eventually driven to distrust friends, doctors and even close family members. Ultimately, the elder victim becomes a pawn – manipulated into trusting only the abuser.

• Family members or caregivers have isolated the elder, restricting the elder’s contact with others, including family, visitors, doctors, clergy or friends.
• Elder is not given the opportunity to speak freely or have contact with others without the caregiver being present.