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What is elder abuse?
Elder abuse is a term referring to any knowing, intentional, unintentional or negligent act by a caregiver or any other person that causes harm or a serious risk of harm to an older adult. In many states, adults with disabilities also qualify for the same special protections through state social services and legal systems. - What are the types of elder abuse?
Elder abuse manifests itself in many forms, including financial abuse, physical abuse, sexual abuse, psychological abuse. This occurs in both homes and facilities. - What are the warning signs of elder abuse?
Neglect or Self-Neglect- Lack of basic hygiene, adequate food, or clean and appropriate clothing
- Lack of medical aids (glasses, walker, teeth, hearing aid, medications)
- Person with dementia left unsupervised
- Person confined to bed is left without care
- Home cluttered, filthy, in disrepair or having fire and safety hazards
- Home without adequate facilities (stove, refrigerator, heat, cooling, working plumbing and electricity)
- Untreated pressure “bed” sores
- Lack of amenities victim could afford
- Vulnerable elder/adult “voluntarily” giving uncharacteristically excessive financial reimbursement/gifts for needed care and companionship
- Caregiver has control of elder’s money but is failing to provide for elder’s needs
- Vulnerable elder/adult has signed property transfers (Power of Attorney, new will, etc.) but is unable to comprehend the transaction or what it means
- Unexplained or uncharacteristic changes in behavior, such as withdrawal from normal activities or unexplained changes in alertness
- Caregiver isolates elder (doesn’t let anyone into the home or speak to the elder)
- Caregiver is verbally aggressive or demeaning, controlling, overly concerned about spending money, or uncaring
- Inadequately explained fractures, bruises, welts, cuts, sores or burns
- Unexplained sexually transmitted diseases
- What makes an older adult vulnerable to abuse?Social isolation and cognitive impairment (such as dementia or Alzheimer’s disease) are two factors that may make an older person more vulnerable to abuse. But, in some situations, studies show that living with someone else (a caregiver or a friend) may increase the chances for abuse to occur. A history of domestic violence may also make a senior more susceptible to abuse.
- Who are the abusers of older people?Abusers of older adults are both women and men, and can be caregivers in facilities or by family members. Family members are more often the abusers than any other group. Some are unaware that their actions are abusive–they need to be informed and preventive measures need to be put in place.
- Are there criminal penalties for the abusers?Although there are variations across the country, in most states there are several laws that address criminal penalties for various types of elder abuse. Laws vary state to state. Some states have increased penalties for those who victimize older adults. Increasingly, across the country, law enforcement officers and prosecutors are trained on elder abuse and ways to use criminal and civil laws to bring abusers to justice.
- How many people are suffering from elder abuse?As many as 1 in 10 older adults and 1 in 2 people with dementia are victims of elder abuse. Unfortunately, for every case that gets reported there are 23 that go unreported. This is caused by a number of factors, including the overall lack of awareness and reluctance to admit by victims due to fear or illness. With 77 million baby boomers aging and the number of people over 90 growing exponentially, the problem will only become more desperate.
- How can elder abuse be eliminated?
- Reference: http://agelessalliance.org/index.php/faqs/
- Researched by Home Helpers and Direct Link staff
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