Do You Know the Signs? Recognizing Elder Abuse
June 15th marks World Elder Abuse Awareness Day. Communities around the globe will be focusing on this important issue, spreading awareness, and working to put an end to abhorrent crimes against vulnerable older adults.
Elder abuse comes in many forms. Often, the term itself generates frightening images of older adults who have been physically harmed or neglected at home or in a nursing facility. But abuse can take place in most any setting and in a variety of forms. There are an estimated 5 million incidents of elder abuse each year. In 60% of all cases, the perpetrator is a family member.
Elder abuse is vastly under-reported. With every case that comes to light, about 23 remain unseen. Fear of retaliation from their abusers, isolation, self-blame, embarrassment, or the inability to report due to memory impairment are often the reasons the abuse is never reported to authorities.
So, would you recognize the signs of elder abuse? Here they are.
Physical/Sexual Abuse. Signs may include unexplained bruising, fractures, cuts, burns, an unexpected decline in health, effects of improper medication, the senior becomes fearful or exhibits a sudden change in behavior.
Emotional or Psychological Abuse. Signs may include agitation, withdrawn or non-communicative or non-responsive, unusual behavior like biting or rocking.
Neglect. Signs include dehydration, malnutrition, poor personal hygiene, inadequate clothing, untreated health problems, unsafe living conditions in the presence of hoarding, lack of heat or running water, filth or infestation.
Financial Abuse. General signs can include a sudden inability to pay bills, unusual withdrawals from accounts, unusual interest by a family member in an elder’s assets, or a disparity between assets and living conditions.
Seniors are often the victims of fraud and scams because they are seen by criminals as easy targets. These are also crimes of abuse and should be reported immediately to authorities. To reduce the possibility of becoming a victim to unscrupulous scammers, keep these things in mind:
- Never give out personal information to anyone by phone or email unless you initiated the inquiry.
- Never respond to an offer you don’t understand.
- Shred all receipts and statements before putting them in the trash.
- The IRS will not call you or threaten to bring the police, nor will they ask for credit card information.
- Hang up if you are offered something “free.” If it’s too good to be true, it’s likely a scam.
If you suspect an elder you know is being abused, or if you believe that you are the victim of an elder abuse crime, ask for help, or talk to a trusted friend who can assist you. If an individual is in immediate danger, call 9-1-1. All states have an office for Adult Protective Services. To find yours, go to the ElderCare Locator, and search for the APS office in your area. In Delaware, you can call 800-223-9074. To report identity theft or report a scam, you can also contact the Federal Trade Commission.
The National Center on Elder Abuse (NCEA) offers terrific resources and information. You can check out the links below or visit their website to learn more.
Protect Yourself from Abuse, Neglect or Exploitation
The Grandparent Scam: Who is Really Calling?
How at Risk for Abuse are People with Dementia?
Don't let fear stop you from reporting suspected elder abuse. Reports can be made anonymously, and you may be saving the life of someone you know.
For information on our services for older adults and their families, please contact us at (302) 858-6449 or [email protected]. Additional information about AgeWise Solutions can be found on our website.