Which indicator is most associated with physical elder abuse?

• A. Physical
• B. Emotional
• C. Financial
• D. Psychological

Answer: (A)

Physical injuries are the clearest sign of physical elder abuse. Observable harms like bruises, welts, burns, cuts, fractures, or other unexplained injuries, especially when they appear in patterns or places that don’t fit the explanation given, point directly to physical harm. You might also see the elder avoiding medical care, or acting fearful of a caregiver, or wearing long sleeves to cover injuries. While emotional distress or financial exploitation can occur alongside abuse, the presence of identifiable physical injuries is the strongest indicator of physical elder abuse.