Every human being of every race, ethnicity, age, sex, and background deserves to be treated with respect and care. Everyone is entitled to their safety and dignity, especially from those who care for them, live with them, and spend their day-to-day lives with them.
Even though modern seniors experience increased longevity, health, capability, and independence, elder abuse and neglect is still a very real problem. It is estimated that every year 2.1 million elder Americans are victims of physical or psychological abuse. But this figure cannot be totally accurate. For every case of elder abuse and neglect reported, there may be as many as five other cases that have not been reported.
Like any other form of abuse, there are many misconceptions about elder abuse. It's a complex problem. We all hear stories of abuse and neglect within nursing homes, and these cases are often appalling. However, what you don't realize is that most elder abuse and neglect takes place in the home. The majority of older people live at home with family, relatives, spouses, siblings, or children, and abuse most commonly occurs in this setting with a home caregiver or family member. However, this abuse can be quite subtle and it's difficult to distinguish between common relationship stresses and classifiable abuse.
Abuse happens in a setting where an older person's growing frailty and dependence upon others is taken advantage of or even neglected. It's important not to assume that just elders who are disabled, ill, frail, or mentally impaired are victims of this abuse. Although those who fit in these categories can and do certainly fall victim to it, seniors who do not exhibit these characteristics can still experience abusive situations and relationships.
So what is elder abuse?
Any infliction of physical, emotional, or psychological harm on an elder adult is considered elder abuse. It can also take the form of financial exploitation or neglect by a caregiver; intentional or unintentional.
Physical actions like shoving, slapping, severe beating or any force that leads to pain or injury is considered physical abuse. Also hitting, kicking, pushing, pinching, biting, or burning. Over- and under- medicating is a form of physical abuse, as is food deprivation, and exposing an elder to severe weather conditions; intentionally or un-intentionally.
Psychological and emotional abuse ranges from "name-calling" to getting the "silent treatment", to threatening and frightening an individual. Also, treating the senior like a child or isolating them from friends, loved ones, and activities as a form of threat or manipulation.
Financial exploitation can be characterized by embezzlement; misuse of elder's funds, fraud, forgery, or denying the elder access to their own funds, along with illegal use of powers of attorney, guardianship arrangements, or conservatorship. Health scams, mortgage scams, and the like are also a form of financial exploitation.
If you witness such abuse, or fear that you or a loved one are receiving such treatment, report immediately what is happening to your local Eldercare facility.
(Call the Eldercare locator at 1-800-677-1116.)
National Center on Elder Abuse
1225 Eye Street, NW, Suite 725
Washington, DC 20005
(202) 898-2586
Fax: (202) 898-2583
[elderabusecenter.org]
NCEA is a resource for public and private agencies, professionals, service providers, and individuals interested in elder abuse prevention information, training, technical assistance, and research.
Eldercare Locator is sponsored by the Administration on Aging (AoA). If you know the address and ZIP code of the older person being abused, Eldercare Locator can refer you to the appropriate agency in the area to report the suspected abuse.
1-800-677-1116
Area Agency on Aging
Most states have an information and referral line that can be helpful in locating services for victims or potential perpetrators of elder abuse and neglect. Check your local telephone directory.
Medicaid Fraud Control Units (MFCU)
Each state attorney general's office is required by federal law to have an MFCU that investigates and prosecutes Medicaid provider fraud and patient abuse and neglect in health care programs and home health services that participate in Medicaid.
Adult Protective Services
In many states, Adult Protective Services is designated to receive and investigate allegations of elder abuse and neglect. Every state has some agency that holds that responsibility. It may be the Area Agency on Aging, the Division of Aging, the Department of Aging, or the Department of Social Services.
National Domestic Violence Hotline
The hotline provides support counseling for victims of domestic violence and provides links to 2,500 local support services for abused women. The hotline operates 24 hours a day, every day of the year.
1-800-799-SAFE
TDD 1-800-787-3224
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