Know the signs
Caring for our loved ones as they age is a common concern for many families across the United States. However, one issue that is often overlooked and underreported are cases of elder abuse. Elder abuse is a major concern for families of senior citizens and senior citizens as well. Although there aren’t many statistics associated with elder abuse, it is clear that it is a prevalent problem that needs to be addressed.
Elder abuse is defined as any action or inaction that harms, endangers, or causes distress to a person over the age of 60 and is done intentionally by someone who is known to the victim and in a position of trust. Seven different types of elder abuse can occur, including financial exploitation, neglect, emotional abuse, physical abuse, sexual abuse, abandonment, and rights abuse.
According to the National Council on Aging, up to 5 million elderly people are abused every year. Various factors contribute to elderly people being victimized. Researchers have proposed several different reasons as to why interpersonal violence against seniors takes place. Reasons include; caregiver stress, learned behavior (i.e. violence as a way to solve problems), caretakers not receiving recognition, familial conflict, and coercive tactics to gain and maintain control.
Some seniors are more vulnerable to abuse than others, depending on their physical and or mental conditions. Aging for some can be a carefree period of time in which individuals enjoy freedom of responsibilities, however, for some, it can be a much more limited and different reality than anticipated. The reality may come with a variety of different challenges, some of which make seniors targets for abuse. Physical abuse is one of the most common types of abuse among seniors. Physical abuse can be many things, pushing, slapping, punching, choking, kicking, pulling hair, and burning. Physical abuse can also consist of restraining or imprisoning a victim, or giving improper doses of medications which can be potentially harmful.
Financial exploitation and neglect are also common forms of abuse against the elderly. Financial exploitation involves scams, coercion, theft, or improper use of a senior’s money, property, or other valuable resources. Financial exploitation of a senior is an intentional act where the perpetrator reaps financial benefits. Neglect of a senior is when a vulnerable senior is deprived of essential necessities such as food, water, medical treatment, proper clothing, or a safe, clean, and comfortable living environment. Neglect, like financial exploitation, is also intentional and a way to exert power, push a senior toward an earlier death, or coerce a senior into signing away his or her financial assets.
Some risk factors for abuse include dementia, lack of cultural or community support, chronic illnesses, low income, valuable assets, and or sundowners syndrome. Warning signs of potential abusers of the elderly are important to look out for. Warning signs include refusal or delay visitations or social activities, frustration with family members or care providers, resistance to outside assistance, little or no kindness, inappropriately affectionate, poor caregiving abilities, complaints of exhaustion, easily angered, changing stories about the same incidents, making seemingly out-of-context excuses and abuse of drugs and or alcohol.
The most common abusers of the elderly are spouses, sons or daughters, siblings, other blood relatives, in-laws, friends, legal guardians, neighbors, acquaintances, financial advisors, salespeople, healthcare practitioners, and religious leaders. Family members account for 60 percent of those who financially exploit seniors. Friends, neighbors, and home care aides collectively account for 32 percent of financial abusers who target the elderly. Financial abusers are often motivated by entitlement, or the opportunity for a sizable inheritance, lack of finances, or in need of paying off debts or to fuel an addiction.
Although disheartening, there are things a good samaritan can do if they see, suspect elder mistreatment or experience elder mistreatment. If there is an immediate danger to life, limb, or property, call 911 right away. Otherwise, call Adult Protective Services (APS) in the state the person is residing in. APS workers will evaluate the level of danger, take steps to ensure the safety of the alleged victim, relieve the immediate effects of emotional trauma, gather evidence and assess the nature and scope of the alleged abuse, determine what social services may be necessary, make arrangements for any necessary services and work as an advocate to protect the alleged victim.
If you or someone that you know is experiencing elder abuse or has been a witness to elder abuse, contact Adult Protective Services (APS) (https://www.napsa-now.org/help-in-your-area).
