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A law firm specializing in nursing home abuse, Brayton Purcell LLP, states that senior citizens are subject to five main forms of elder abuse. These elders have either been physically abused, sexually abused, emotionally abused, taken advantage of financially or experienced neglect.

HelpGuide.org, a group founded by Robert and Jeanne Segal to help people deal with abuse, among other things, guides us in understanding more about this abuse. This group, also made up of health experts, writers and web professionals, has discovered that "more than half a million reports of abuse against elderly Americans reach authorities every year, and millions more cases go unreported."

HelpGuide.org has discovered some of the reasons or motivations of the abusers. In some cases, the senior is so frail that he is not able to "stand up to bullying or to fight back if attacked." Some seniors are conned or taken advantage of because they are no longer able to see, hear or think clearly. Because some seniors have extreme "mental or physical ailments," some abuse happens by paid caregivers, loved ones, friends, or companions out of frustration or rage.

One form of abuse experienced by senior citizens is physical abuse. As reported by Brayton Purcell LLP, physical abuse includes elders being hit, beaten, pushed, shaken, slapped, burned and kicked. Help Guide.org explains that "inappropriate use of drugs, restraints, and confinement" also fit this category.

Another form of abuse experienced by senior citizens is sexual abuse. Brayton Purcall LLP categorizes sexual abuse as molestation, rape, sex acts and sexual touching. HelpGuide.org explains that sexual abuse also includes "showing an elderly person pornographic material, forcing the person to watch sex acts, or forcing the elder to undress."

Still another form of abuse experienced by senior citizens is emotional abuse. HelpGuide.org states that emotional abuse takes two forms: verbal and nonverbal. Verbal abuse includes "intimidation through yelling or threats," humiliation, ridicule, and "habitual blaming or scapegoating." Nonverbal abuse takes the form of ignoring, isolating or terrorizing.

Many senior citizens experience financial abuse. Brayton Purcall LLP provides this definition: "The improper use of an elder's funds, property or assets constitutes financial exploitation or abuse." Their attorneys have discovered that the perpetrators of this abuse include family members, friends, someone who holds power of attorney over that elder, and financial institutions.

Finally, many more seniors experience some form of neglect. Brayton Purcell LLP explains that when seniors are being deprived of sufficient amounts of "food, water, clothing, shelter, medicine, and personal safety," this is considered neglect. In the case of seniors who are bed-ridden or use wheelchairs, neglect includes not showering or bathing them often enough or allowing them to remain in a wet or soiled diaper. Another form of neglect is refusing to take them to the bathroom when asked so that the senior either experiences physical discomfort or she ends up wetting or soiling herself. HelpGuide.org warns that you need to also watch for signs that their dietary requirements are not being satisfied or a doctor is not called when the seniors have physical ailments or illnesses. You should also watch for bedsores, signs of dehydration or being malnourished.