We are hearing more and more about the older adults being taken advantage by a scam artists, being victims of violent crime and even human interest stories of seniors being found alone, malnourished and unable to care for themselves.  But what exactly is elder abuse? 

According to the National Center on Elder Abuse (NCEA),  elder abuse is any form of mistreatment that results in harm or loss to an older person. It is generally divided into the following categories: 
  1. Physical-  physical force that results in bodily injury, pain, or impairment. It includes assault, battery, and inappropriate restraint.
  2. Sexual- there is non-consensual sexual contact of any kind with an older person
  3. Domestic Violence- an escalating pattern of violence by an intimate partner where the violence is used to exercise power and control
  4. Psychological- the willful infliction of mental or emotional anguish by threat, humiliation, or other verbal or nonverbal conduct.
  5. Financial- the illegal or improper use of an older person's funds, property, or resources. 

Other terms you may hear about are 'neglect' (failure of a caregiver to fulfill his or her care giving responsibilities) and 'self-neglect' (failure to provide for one's own essential needs.) More detailed information can be viewed at www.preventelderabuse.org/elderabuse/elderabuse.html - NCEA.

The problem of elder abuse is large and is also under-reported.  In a National Incidence Study on Elder abuse, approximately 450,000 elderly adults experienced abuse in 1996. If self neglect had been included, it would have risen to  551,000. The NCEA Estimates of Prevalence in the U.S.

  • "...between 1 to 2 million Americans age 65 and older have been injured, exploited or otherwise mistreated." 
  • One in 14 incidents in domestic settings (excluding self-neglect) are believed to be brought to the attention of authorities.
  • In overall reporting of financial exploitation, one in 25 cases suggests that there may be five million financial abuse cases.
  • For every case reported to authorities, an estimated five cases of elder abuse go unreported.

What can you do? You can enhance the awareness of elder abuse. In most states, it is required that health care professionals report suspected abuse. But even if it is not mandated is the right thing to do.  If you would like more information on mandated reporting, visit http://elder-law.lawyers.com/Elder-Abuse.html.

Also, educate yourself.  The Hartford Foundation Institute for Geriatric Nursing has created a tool to document and assess for elder abuse.  It can be found at  www.hartfordign.org/resources/education/tryThis.html. 
Senior Fraud UpdateIt can assist you in assessing and summarizing abuse and neglect concerns by assessing the senior’s appearance, indicators such as bruise and/or fractures- or with self neglect malnutrition and/or signs of depression- or in areas of exploitation, where the senior’s monies have been mishandled. 

The key is to be aware, seek information, and help the seniors preserve their dignity and their rights.  Let’s keep our seniors safe.

To read our special Update on Senior Fraud, please click here.