Elder Abuse: Here, There and Everywhere
This has nothing to do with Macintosh or Apple, but is a subject that needs attention. Lucy Andrews is a nationally respected authority on elder care, and has allowed me to publish her article here.
If you don’t think it can happen to your family, think again. A national elder abuse panel states, “According to the best available estimates, between 1 and 2 million Americans age 65 or older have been injured, exploited, or otherwise mistreated by someone on whom they depended for care or protection.”
This is a staggering statistic and a subject that may some day touch many of us, if it hasn’t already. An even bigger problem is that it is estimated that for every one case of abuse reported, five cases go unreported.
This means that, all around us, there is potential harm to one of our most valuable resources – our elders. All types of elder abuse, physical, emotional or financial, are on the rise. Just last month in Sonoma County, California, alone, there were two cases of financial abuse prosecuted. That does not measure how many actually happened and were not reported. Local agencies are straining to meet current demand for investigation. Many state agencies are worried, knowing that as the financial climate declines, elder abuse, especially financial abuse, escalates. As the general population ages and the number of elders needing care increases, abuse becomes a looming issue for all members of the community. So how can we help protect our elders, family members and ourselves?
The following signs from the National Center on Elder Abuse (NCEA) are indicators that a problem may exist, and that a report needs to be made to law enforcement or Adult Protective Services (APS).
Physical Signs
- Injury that has not been cared for properly
- Injury that is inconsistent with explanation for its cause
- Pain from touching
- Cuts, puncture wounds, burns, bruises, welts
- Inappropriate administration of medication
- Soiled clothing or bed
- Lack of necessities such as food, water, or utilities
- Lack of personal effects, pleasant living environment, personal items
- Forced isolation
Behavioral Signs
- Fear
- Anxiety, agitation
- Anger
- Isolation, withdrawal
- Depression
- Non-responsiveness, resignation, ambivalence
- Contradictory statements, implausible stories
- Hesitation to talk openly
- Confusion or disorientation
Signs by Caregiver
- Preventing elder from speaking to or seeing visitors
- Anger, indifference, aggressive behavior toward elder
- History of substance abuse, mental illness, criminal behavior, or family violence
- Lack of affection toward elder
- Flirtation or coyness as possible indicator of inappropriate sexual relationships
- Conflicting accounts of incidents
- Withholding affection
Signs of Financial Abuse
- Frequent expensive gifts from elder to caregiver
- Elder’s personal belongings, papers, credit cards missing
- Numerous unpaid bills
- A recent will when elder seems incapable of writing will
- Caregiver’s name added to bank account
- Elder unaware of monthly income
- Elder signs on loan
- Frequent checks made out to “cash”
- Unusual activity in bank account
- Irregularities on tax return
- Elder unaware of reason for appointment with banker or attorney
- Caregiver’s refusal to spend money on elder
- Signatures on checks or legal documents that do not resemble elder’s signature.
Everyone involved in caring for a senior citizen needs to be aware of changes in their loved one’s behavior or that of their caregiver. The critical factor in prevention of elder abuse is regular observation and oversight of the elder and caregiver. Routine assessment of an elder’s physical well being and ongoing appraisal of their caregiver’s behavior provides needed insight to the overall health and wellness of the elder. Look for the indicators listed above when visiting elders to evaluate signs of potential abuse. Remember, if you think something is “funny”, it probably is. Trust your instincts.
The best protection is knowledge, attention and oversight. We encourage families to follow in the steps of agencies such as Adult Protective Services and hire caregivers though a full service home care agency rather than hire caregivers privately.
Client and caregiver oversight allow a full service agency (employer of caregivers) to directly observe the caregiver- client relationship and oversee the care. Full service agencies that employ caregivers directly, pay state and federal taxes, bond and insure their employees are a safer bet for elder care. Families have more control of consistent communication from an agency and can feel at ease that oversight is being provided.
Hiring an agency instead of a private caregiver cannot absolutely ensure safety but you can be assured of an immediate response to issues and recourse if needed.
At Your Service Home Care is your resource for information on elder abuse and other eldercare issues. Please contact us if you have questions, no matter how small. We are here to help.
These resources in the community can help you with information and guidance:
- At Your Service Home Care
- 911
- Adult Protective Services (APS)
- AARP local chapter
- Community senior centers
- Known medical personnel, family health provider or any health care professional
By Lucy Andrews RN MS CEO
At Your Service Home Care
Santa Rosa CA. 95405
l. Elder Mistreatment: Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation in an Aging America. 2003. Washington, DC: National Research Council Panel to Review Risk and Prevalence of Elder Abuse and Neglect
ll. National Elder Abuse Incidence Study.1998. Washington, DC: National Center on Elder Abuse at American Public Human Services Association.
© 12/08 AYS Publishing
Reprint and Copy with author’s permission only
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