The most common types of elder abuse reported in Ohio are neglect, self-neglect, exploitation, and emotional, physical and sexual abuse.

• Neglect is the failure of an adult to provide the goods or services necessary for his or her own safety and/or well-being − such as avoiding physical harm, mental anguish or mental illness − or the failure of a caretaker to provide such goods or services.

• Exploitation is the unlawful or improper act of a caretaker using an adult or his/her resources for monetary or personal benefit, profit or gain.

• Physical abuse is the intentional use of physical force that results in injury, pain or impairment. It includes pushing, hitting, slapping, pinching and other ways of physically harming a person. It can also mean placing an individual in incorrect positions, force feeding, restraining or giving medication without the person’s knowledge.

• Emotional abuse occurs when a person is threatened, humiliated, intimidated or otherwise psychologically hurt. It includes the violation of an adult’s right to make decisions and the loss of his or her privacy.

• Sexual abuse includes rape or other unwanted, nonconsensual sexual contact. It also can mean forced or coerced nudity, exhibitionism and other non-touching sexual situations, regardless of the age of the perpetrator.