As the older generation hits retirement age and is less able to care for themselves, the prospect of elder abuse begins and elders, family members, friends and caregivers need to educate themselves.
Definition
Elder abuse is any abuse or neglect of a person aged 60 or older by a caregiver or another person in a relationship involving an expectation of trust that threatens his/her safety, according to the Journal of the American Medical Association. This can include physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional abuse, caregiver neglect, financial exploitation and healthcare fraud.
Because elders may not see or hear as well as they used to or be physically able to defend themselves, some people may take advantage of elders. According to a non-profit resource, Help Guide, founded by Robert and Jeanne Segal, more than half a million elder abuse reports reach authorities each year while millions of other cases go unreported.
Risk Factors
Elders who are still physically fit and still have great use of eyesight and hearing may have a lessened risk of being abused but shouldn't be excluded. Those who are vulnerable to elder abuse are:
- Elders with memory problems
- Elders who are physically dependent on others
- Elders with depression or lack of social support
- Elders with a past history of domestic violence
- Elders with a caregiver who feels overwhelmed and stressed with caring for the elder
- Elders with a caregiver who has a history of abusing others, abusing substances or has depression
- Elders with a caregiver who has a highly emotional or financial dependence on the elder
Signs and Symptoms
Mental deterioration is common when people age, so how does a family member know when the elder in their life is suffering just from mental deterioration or from abuse? The answer is not so simple, since mental deterioration and elder abuse signs do overlap. One should look for clusters of specific types of abuse as well as warning signs that there is tension between the elder and caregiver and a change in personality or behavior from the elder.
For signs of physical abuse, look for unexplained bruises or scars, broken bones or sprains, broken eyeglasses, reports of drug overdose or underdose and the caregiver's refusal to let a person be alone with the elder.
For emotional abuse, signs may include the caregiver threatening or controlling the elder and the elder mimicking behavior of dementia (rocking, sucking and mumbling).
Signs of sexual abuse include torn or stained underclothing as well as bruises around the breasts or genitalia, genital infections/diseases and unexplained vaginal or anal bleeding.
If the elder's items or cash goes missing, suspicious changes occur in legal documents, bills go unpaid or there are sudden changes to the elder's bank account, these could be signs of financial exploitation.
Evidence of over- or under-medication and duplicate billings for the same medical service may be signs of healthcare fraud.
If the elder has unusual weight loss, untreated sores, is not dressed appropriately for the weather, has unsafe living conditions and is left alone at a public place by a caregiver, these are signs of caregiver neglect.
Prevention
Help Guide gives three ways to prevent elder abuse and together they spell "LIE," which stands for: Listening to seniors and caregivers, Intervening when a person suspects elder abuse and Educating others about how to recognize and report elder abuse.
A caregiver should always request help with an elder when feeling overwhelmed and like they need a break. A caregiver can also join a support group. Staying healthy, using stress reduction practices and getting counseling for any substance use will also benefit a caregiver.
An elder should make sure financial and legal affairs are in order with the help of a professional to prevent abuse and should also talk on a regular basis with family and friends to avoid becoming isolated and to vent out any frustrations or complaints.
Family members and friends should be on the lookout for warning signs indicating elder abuse, call and visit the elder, offer a break to the caregiver by staying with the elder and if given permission from the elder, keep an eye on financial statements and medications.
Reporting Elder Abuse
If an elder, caregiver or family and friends suspect elder abuse, the elder care help line in the United States is available to help. Its number is 1-800-677-1116.
A person can also find his/her state elder abuse hotline and agency by visiting the National Center on Elder Abuse website.
Elder abuse is a broad range of multiple abuses that can be mistaken for dementia. Always listen to and observe an elder for any signs of abuse. Elder abuse can happen anywhere an elder is, including his/her own home or a care center facility. An elder can also be abused by any person including caregivers, family, friends and sometimes even strangers.
Sources Used: Journal of American Medicine, HelpGuide.org
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