Elder Abuse

 

What is Elder Abuse?

As people age, they become weaker both physically and psychologically, thus making them easier “targets” to some. They are less likely to fight back for many reasons, such as not knowing any better and sadly, if they do, their abuser may be someone they know, trust and are even responsible for their care such as  a nursing home attendant or even their own family members.

 

Locations and Perpetrators of Abuse

Due to the nature of the abusers being in close contact with their victim, elder abuse can happen anywhere, but usually occurs within their own home. Frequently the elderly are living with family (their adult children, grandchildren or spouse) or living in a type of long term care facility (nursing homes, assisted living homes). When it is detected that either the elderly person is unable to realize their abuse either through lack of knowledge of the abuse, memory issues, or simply does not wish to report it because they do not want to get their family member in trouble, that individual is now a prospect for abuse.

 

Types of Elder Abuse

The types of abuse the elderly can incur range from physical, emotional, sexual, neglect or abandonment by caregivers and financial abuse.

-          Physical Abuse: “physical force or violence that results in bodily injury, pain, or impairment.”[1] Inclusive is assault, battery and inappropriate restraint. The abuser is usually a family member or intimate partner who physically abuses to gain power or control.

-          Emotional Abuse: “infliction of anguish, pain, or distress through verbal or nonverbal acts.”[2] Inclusive are verbal assaults, humiliation, and forced isolation.

-          Sexual Abuse: “any form of non-consensual physical contact.”1 Inclusive is rape, molestation, or any sexual conduct with a person who lacks the mental capacity to exercise consent. The perpetrators are usually employees of long term care facilities, family members (including spouses) and their targets are usually women who are without social support or have an emotional or physical disability.

-          Neglect: “the refusal or failure to fulfill any part of a person’s obligations or duties…”2 Inclusive of neglect is the failure to pay for specified services, or the refusal/failure to provide life necessities (food, water, clothing, shelter, medicine or aspects of personal safety, etc.).

-          Abandonment: “the desertion of an elderly person by an individual who has assumed responsibility for providing care for an elder, or by a person with physical custody of an elder.”2 The elder can be abandoned in their home, care facility or in a public place.

-          Financial Abuse: “the illegal or improper use of an elder's funds, property, or assets.”2 Financial abuse is the widest ranging type of abuse.  Inclusive are cashing an elderly persons check without authorization, forging signatures, misusing or stealing money or possessions, coercing or deceiving an elderly person into signing documents and any abuse of health care.

 

For More Information:

-          National Center on Elder Abuse: www.ncea.aoa.gov

-          National Committee for the Prevention of Elder Abuse: www.PreventElderAbuse.org

-          Office for Victims of Crimes: http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/ovc/publications/infores/elder/welcome.html

 

 

 

If you suspect elder abuse, neglect, or exploitation, call 1-800-677-1116.

If you suspect someone is in immediate danger, call 911 or the local police.

To report anonymously, call CrimeStoppers at (912) 234-2020.