Stealing candy from a baby may be easy, but abusing older adults is more profitable. And unfortunately very popular.
Despite the universal ideal that we should respect everyone older than us, older adults in all cultures and classes are abused in the United States. The United States Department of Health and Human Services estimates that: One in ten older adult Americans is abused by loved ones or strangers.
Basics of Adult Abuse
Elder abuse, now commonly referred to as “adult abuse,” takes many forms. It could be:
- financial
- mental
- Physical
- Sexual
- Medical (both from withholding healthcare and from healthcare professionals)
- Emotional
- psychological
- Domestic violence
- Domestic (happens at home)
- Institutional (occurs in a long-term care facility, nursing home, or care unit)
While state legal definitions differ, the laws refer to the abuse or exploitation of older adults. This usually means a person aged 60 and over, although some states or institutions differ.
Types of Abuse and Neglect by the Elderly
Abuse of the elderly applies to a wide variety of bad actions with varying degrees of severity. Abuse is all of:
- Financial abuse by medical providers, family or strangers
- Abandonment or neglect of older parents by adult children
- Misallocation of funds or property by a professional
- Physical abuse such as withholding medicines or violence
- Taking advantage of an older adult’s mental disorder or lack of judgment
- Don’t report dangerous self-neglect when you see it
- Social isolation as a punishment or a way to control them
If you suspect this is happening, it is important to report it. Suspected abuse can prevent terrible situations and protect the person’s well-being – whether they are part of your family or just someone you see.
You can report various forms of abuse to hotlines, the police or the hospital or institution where you see the abuse occurring.
Family can be the worst abusers
Abuse of the elderly is widely underreported. This often has to do with the personal relationship between the parties involved. Vulnerable and weak adults often rely on younger relatives for care. This situation makes them unlikely to contact strangers to report assault, financial exploitation, or physical or psychological abuse. Sometimes they do not fully understand the situation because they trust their relatives. Other times, they may want to keep “family business” private and within the family.
Very few people even know about services that protect older adults. Law enforcement officers can struggle to prove “hidden” abuse when called in to help. This, coupled with the federal government’s traditionally fragmented approach to adult protection services, can make it difficult to know where to turn when abuse is suspected.
Who to Call for Signs of Elder Abuse?
The National Adult Protective Services Association notes that there has been an epidemic of abuse by the elderly across the country since the 1980s. However, there is no one-size-fits-all approach to the problem, despite its prevalence.
There is no federal agency charged with treating abuse of older adults, so the states have had to improvise. Each state has its own framework for protecting the elderly. About a third of these APS offices are also charged with protecting other vulnerable adult populations, not just older adults. The work falls under either a health department or a social services department.
If you see something, say something
Consult the National Center on Older Adult Abuse’ to find the right agency to report elder abuse in your state .
As the Commission indicates, it is important to report abuse, even if you only have a suspicion of abuse. Call Adult Protection Services to speak to a knowledgeable expert. If necessary, they can initiate an investigation or systematic review of the institution. The agency can also help find resources for stressed caregivers.
Remember that abuse by the elderly can happen to any gender identity and culture. If you see an elderly person in danger who needs immediate help, simply call 911 and ask the police for help. An older adult who has been victimized by relatives or caregivers may also: Need the help of a lawyer .