One of the things that most upsets me is the thought of a vulnerable, dependent person or animal being abused and/or neglected by a stronger person in a relationship of trust. The title of this post is a special place in hell because I think special spots are reserved for anyone who chooses to victimize a weaker person or animal. If a person wants to take on a dog, for example, why not pick a fight with one of the highly trained LAPD K-9 dogs rather than kicking your small and trusting Poodle.
This scope of this post, however, is limited to elder abuse in our society. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention describes it as follows: “Elder abuse is an intentional act, or failure to act, by a caregiver or another person in a relationship involving an expectation of trust that causes or creates a risk of harm to an older adult (An older adult is defined as someone age 60 or older.).”
They list the following forms of elder abuse: Physical Abuse, Sexual Abuse or Abusive Sexual Contact, Emotional or Psychological Abuse, Neglect, Financial Abuse or Exploitation. CDC provides consistent definitions of each type which are needed to monitor the incidence of elder abuse and examine trends over time and locations. These can be seen under Elder Abuse Surveillance: Uniform Definitions.
Perpetrators of elder abuse can be the elder’s children, family members and spouses. They can also include staff at nursing homes, assisted living facilities, other care facilities and in-home care staff. In approximately 60 percent of abuse and neglect cases, the perpetrator is a family member with two thirds being adult children or spouses.
The National Council on Aging (NCOA) reports that approximately 1 in 10 seniors have experienced some form of elder abuse or neglect. It is estimated that as many as 5 million elders are abused each year with only 1 in 14 being reported to authorities. The fear of loss of the relationship, retaliation or neglect are the most frequent reasons for not reporting.
Some elders are more vulnerable to abuse than others. Two main factors according to NCOA and the National Center on Elder Abuse (NCEA) are social isolation and mental impairment like dementia or Alzheimer’s disease. They report that recent studies have shown that nearly half of elders with dementia suffer from abuse or neglect. There is also a disproportionate amount of abuse among adults with disabilities.
Some warning signs to watch for are as follows:
* Physical abuse or neglect- bruises, fractures, pressure marks, burns, abrasions
* Emotional abuse – unexplained withdrawal from normal activities, depression, arguing more frequently
* Financial – change in financial status, unusual concern about money
* Neglect – bedsores, unattended medical issues, poor hygiene, weight loss
* Verbal or emotional abuse – caregivers using threats or belittling to control the senior in their care.
The NCOA reports that elders who have suffered from abuse or neglect have a 300 percent higher rate of earlier death than those who have not. Estimates of elder abuse and fraud to older citizens range from $2.9 billion to an astonishing $36.5 billion annually.
Most states including California have specific penalties for those who commit crimes against older Americans. Seniors and their families should review these laws in their states.
It is critical that anyone who suspects that an older adult is being mistreated, neglected or does not have the appropriate level of care in their home takes action to notify the proper authorities. If it is an emergency situation, call 911 immediately. In other scenarios contact your local Adult Protective Services Office or the local police department. If the abuse is occurring in a skilled nursing home or assisted living or board and care, it can be reported to your local Long-Term Care Ombudsman Office. Abuse can be reported to both agencies anonymously. We tend to think it is better not to get involved in someone else’s business, but this call could save a life or protect a vulnerable senior from continuing abuse.
NCOA makes the following suggestions to protect yourself from elder abuse.
– Take care of your health.
– Plan for your future. Have a will and/or trust agreement for financial matters.
– Have a Power of Attorney, living will, POLST or advance directive for health issues.
– Stay active in the community and connected with friends and family. Social isolation is often connected to elder abuse.
– Be responsible for handling your own mail.
– Use extreme care when choosing someone to help with your finances, checking/saving accounts and health authorizations.
– Use direct deposit for all checks.
– Never give personal information on the phone.
– Always have your own phone available.
– Know your rights and do not be afraid to speak up or tell someone else if you feel you are the victim of abuse. Call Adult Protective Services or contact your Ombudsman In a care facility if you are suffering from neglect or abuse.
Care and concern for others can contribute to a safer happier world for all seniors. A poster in all the care facilities in my area simply says “If you see something, say something.” Take the time to get involved. You may be the one needing help one day.