June 15th is Elder Abuse Awareness Day!
Posted: Wednesday, June 15, 2011
by MJNewell
Elder Abuse Remains a Hidden Problem-
The majority of cases of elder abuse go unreported making it a hidden problem within the communities that we live in. There are many reasons why abuse goes undetected. Often the abuser is a family member and caregiver who is the sole lifeline for the dependent victim’s basic needs. Many older adults tolerate abuse rather than risk losing the close personal ties of the abusive family member who is most often a child or a spouse.
However, because the abuser is often times a member of the family, there is a tendency for other family members to cover up the situation.
Also, there is a tendency for the victim to blame him or herself for the abuse or want to protect the abuser from “getting in trouble.”
However, despite all of these steps forward, elder abuse can be considered to be where child abuse and domestic violence were 50 years ago (i.e., at the “tip of the iceberg” stage of overall public awareness).
There are several reasons for this – elder abuse is not clearly defined, funding for elder abuse intervention and prevention is limited, and the public has not yet taken elder abuse seriously.
Elder abuse should be a growing concern to all of our citizens and be considered a significant public health issue.
Of all the abuses our elderly suffer, financial abuse is the most prevalant….
Financial exploitation can be indicated by: sudden changes in banking practices, the inclusion of additional names on an older adult’s banking card, unauthorized withdrawals, abrupt changes in the person’s will, the unexplained disappearance of funds or valuables (especially jewelry), unexplained transfers of funds to family members, and forged signatures on financial documents .
ATM card use by a dishonest caregiver is the most frequent and easiest way for financial abuse to take place. Elders should never put the caregiver on their checking account. But financial abuse can still ( and most likely wiil) occur if the caregiver is on the account.. An outside pair of eyes should be involved in all finances. Banks should be aware of someone other than the elder using an ATM card and should be suspicious.
Financial abuse is a precursor to more gross forms of abuse.
The inability or unwillingness to provide adequate basic care or medical care, such as filling prescriptions or transporting to appointments, may be financially motivated.
The elder often refuses to report abuse, thinking it was deserved or may even feel responsible for the abuser's actions. Especially if it is a family member.
Family members who financially abuse a dying patient often express the attitude,‘It’s all going to be mine soon anyway.’ "You owe me."
Many times the caregiver-family member has been abused also, and may be a substance abuser or alcoholic.
Too often financial abuse goes unreported because families don't want anyone to know ..It is buried in the family archives.
To report cases of elder abuse —
This can be done by calling the police if there is immediate danger; contacting local Adult Protective Services to request an investigation; or speaking to the long-term care ombudsman for advice and assistance. Call the Attorney General in your state.
Mandated Reporters:
Ambulance Attendant Occupational Therapist
Certified Nursing Assistant Pharmacist
Chiropractor Physical Therapist
Clergy Physician (M.D. and D.O.)
Dentist Physician’s Assistant
Emergency Medical Technician Podiatrist
Emergency Room Personnel Psychologist
Humane Agent Registered Nurse
Law Enforcement Official Social Worker
Licensed Practical Nurse Speech Therapist
Medical Examiner Unlicensed Assistive Personnel*
Medical Intern *(includes Personal Care Assistant/PCA)
Mental Health Professional (Maine DHHS/OES, 2003)
Risk Factors of Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation
Older adults who are dependent upon family members are particularly vulnerable.
Here are some ways that this type of family violence can take place:
Abusers may threaten to institutionalize the victim or deny access to grandchildren.Isolation may be easier to accomplish with an older person by taking mail, denying access to the phone, etc. Victims who rely on others for help with finances may be abused through misuse of powers of attorney, giving away assets, or taking over property.
Neglect is a type of abuse more dangerous when victims are dependent on an abuser. Abusers may fail to change bedding, deny food and water, or interfere with medical care. A lack of caregiving experience, knowledge of resources, or inability to provide an appropriate level of care can put elders at risk for abuse from their caregivers. It has been found that stressed or overburdened caregivers are more likely to abuse their relative, especially when the relationship was poor to begin with.
It has also been found that older adults are at much higher risk for being abused at the end of life because many of the risk factors for abuse are acquired as the person's health status declines.
Risk Factors for Elder Abuse, Neglect or Exploitation
• Misunderstanding of an adult’s physical or emotional needs or abilities
• Stress because of financial, family, marital or health problems
• Alcohol or drug abuse
• Mental illness
• Lack of training or education
• Social isolation
Remove the shame associated with reporting abuse;
There needs to be better enforcement of the laws with adequate punishment showing the seriousness of the crime; the states need to increase its education and information efforts and set standards of care in all health care arenas, making them accessible to older adults
• A spokesperson for elder issues from the state/governor’s office should release weekly information/awareness statements
• Public awareness on elder abuse issues from the governor’s office/OES is necessary including how to report and access the APS phone number
• Closer monitoring of the long-term care patients access to “bill of rights” is needed
• A process for intervention without prosecution is needed to lessen fear of reporting abuse
• More community health/social workers to monitor isolated elders are needed
• Establishing an anonymous caregivers hotline to self-report abusive behavior is needed
• Stiffer penalties – felony statutes for elder abuse crimes should exist
• Network existing services for homebound elders to identify vulnerable adults – link with law enforcement
• More local enforcement and available resources for officers is needed
• Financial Institutions – exemption from confidentiality in order to report elder abuse. (Especially suspicious ATM card use!)
• Education of the general public around the signs of elder abuse is recommended
• Abuse screening and employee background checks in long-term care are needed
• Credit card abuse warrants increased attention
I urge everyone to become better educated on this subject ..Only then will we be able to ensure that our elders are safe from these predators.
I have a website dedicated to my Mom who was subjected to financial abuse by a family member...
www.preventelderlyabuse.com
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