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Elder Abuse

Elder abuse affects men and women of all ethnic backgrounds and social status. Estimating the numbers of elders who are victims of abuse is difficult. Research and awareness of elder abuse is something that has only been studied comparitively recently and there is no uniform reporting system. Bodies such as the National Center on Elder Abuse periodically collects, analyzes, funds and publishes statistics on abuse of older persons in the United States. Their estimates of the number of elders who are victims of abuse, neglect or exploitation are shocking.

The NCEA suggest that more than 500,000 Americans aged 60 and over were victims of domestic abuse in 1996. The Senate Special Committee on Aging estimates that there may be as many as 5 million elder victims of abuse every year. Other studies estimate that between 3 percent and 5 percent of the elderly population have been abused.

Elder Abuse--A Hidden Problem
Part of the problem in working out how many older people are victims of abuse is that it is a hidden problem. Judging how many older Americans are abused, neglected, or exploited is difficult because surveillance is limited. The public, rightly, do not tolerate violence in whatever form to vulnerable minorities so those who do need help are reluctant to seek it. Some studies estimate that only about 16% to 21% of the abuse situations are referred for help, the remaining 79% to 84% remain hidden.

Elder Abuse-A Family Problem
The sadness of elder abuse is that it is mostly perpetrated by family members. It is because of this fact that so few cases of elder abuse are reported, prosecuted or refered for help and assistance. Statistics on the family member who abuse old relatives have been estimated as:

Six Most Common Elder Abuse

Abuse of elders can take many forms. There are a number of different types of abuse that happen to older people. Sadly, abuse occurs far too often. Relatives, friends, caregivers as well as professionals can all be responsible for the abuse of elders and the vulnerable. Most older people who experience abuse are unable to care for themselves or require assistance with their care.

Elder abuse is defined as a knowing, intentional, or negligent act to a vulnerable adult. Laws to protect and prosecute the elderly vary from state to state and from country to country.

1. Physical Abuse
Physical abuse is defined as;
Inflicting, or threatening to inflict, physical pain or injury to a vulnerable elder. Physical abuse can also include depriving them of basic needs such as food, medicines, or giving too much medication. Physical abuse accounts for 25% of all abuse cases of elder abuse. This type of abuse includes punching, pushing, shaking, pinching, burning, force feeding, and any sort of physical punishment or restraint. Signs of abuse include physical signs as well as sudden changes in behavior or refusal of a caregiver to allow visitors to see an elder alone.

2. Emotional or psychological Abuse
Emotional, psychological abuse is defined as;
Inflicting mental pain, anguish, or distress on an elder person through verbal or nonverbal acts. Psychological abuse accounts for 36% of all cases of abuse.

Emotional abuse can be difficult to detect unless witnessed. People being abused in this way can show changes in behavior, fear when in the presence of the abuser, agitation or withdrawal.

3. Sexual Abuse
Sexual abuse is non-consensual sexual contact of any kind.
Sexual abuse can be difficult to detect except for those involved in their nursing care. Signs include the physical signs. Always investigate allegations of sexual abuse by a vulnerable adult.

4. Financial or Exploitative abuse
Financial or exploitative abuse is defined as the illegal taking, misuse, or concealment of funds, property, or assets of a vulnerable elder.
Financial/material exploitation accounts for 30% of all cases of abuse
Exploitation includes the unexplained disappearance of funds, valuable possessions, changes to wills or financial documents.

5. Neglect as abuse
Neglect is defined as failing or refusing to provide food, shelter, healthcare or protection for a vulnerable elder. Neglect accounts for 49% of cases of abuse.

The physical signs of neglect are often easy to see. Dirty surroundings, poor personal hygiene, soiled bedding, smell, untreated cuts or sores, poor dental hygiene.

6. Abandonment
To desert a vulnerable elder is abuse when that person has assumed the responsibility for care or custody of them.