Abuse can occur to anyone, regardless of their age, gender, race, religion, ethnicity, or culture. Each year, hundreds of thousands of adults over 60 are tortured, neglected, or exploited financially. The term for this is elder abuse.
Abuse can occur in a variety of settings, including the victim's residence, the home of a family member, an assisted living facility, or a nursing home. It is possible for family members, strangers, health care providers, caregivers, or friends to mistreat older adults.
Abuse of the elderly is a significant issue in the United States. Because the number of nonfatal injuries is restricted to elderly adults treated in emergency departments, the available information is an underestimate of the problem. The data does not include individuals treated by other providers or those who do not require or seek treatment. In addition, many cases are not reported because elders are afraid or unable to disclose the violence to police, friends, or family. Victims must choose between disclosing abuse or continuing to be harmed by someone they depend on or care profoundly about.
Elder abuse is prevalent. Abuse, including neglect and exploitation, is experienced by approximately one in ten home-dwelling seniors aged 60 and older. From 2002 to 2016, over 643,000 senior adults were treated in emergency departments for nonfatal assaults, and more than 19,000 were murdered.
5 Common Types of Elder Abuse
1. Physical abuse includes acts such as hitting, kicking, pushing, slapping, and burning. occurs when an elderly person experiences illness, discomfort, injury, functional impairment, distress, or death due to the intentional use of physical force.
2. Sexual abuse involves any type of coerced or unwanted sexual interaction with an older adult. This includes unwanted sexual contact, penetration, and non-contact actions like sexual harassment.
3. Emotional or Psychological Abuse Refers to verbal or nonverbal behaviors that cause an older adult anguish, mental agony, fear, or distress. Examples include humiliation or disrespect, verbal and nonverbal threats, harassment, and physical or social isolation.
4. Neglect is the failure to provide for a senior's basic necessities. The necessities include food, water, shelter, clothing, personal hygiene, and basic medical care.
5. Financial Abuse is the illegal, unauthorized, or improper use of an older adult's money, benefits, possessions, property, or assets for the benefit of a third party.
When Abuse of Elders Is Proven
An interdisciplinary team (consisting of physicians, nurses, social workers, attorneys, law enforcement officials, psychiatrists, and other practitioners) is the most effective method for delivering effective care. If the individual is in imminent peril, healthcare professionals may recommend hospitalization, law enforcement intervention, or relocation to a safe location.
If the individual is not in imminent danger, risk reduction measures are implemented, but with less urgency. The type of intervention chosen depends on the perpetrator's propensity to cause damage. In general, interventions must be tailored to each specific circumstance.
Interventions may consist of:
·Medical assistance
·Education (such as teaching victims about abuse and available options to assist them and assisting them with the development of safety strategies).
·Psychological support (such as short-term or long-term psychotherapy for the victim and possibly family members to discuss depression and trauma's consequences)
·Interventions by law enforcement and the legal system (arrest of the perpetrator, restraining orders, legal advice, including protection of assets)
·Alternative accommodation options (such as sheltered senior housing and nursing home placement).
·Referral to services that provide essential support (such as food and transportation assistance) and reduce social isolation
Signs of Elder Abuse
As there are numerous varieties of elder abuse, the indicators that a senior has been abused can vary. To protect the elderly, it is essential for their loved ones to recognize the various signs of elder abuse.
Some indicators of elder abuse include:
·Bedsores (also known as pressure ulcers)
·Broken bones or sprains
·Cuts, bruises, and/or scrapes
·Dehydration or malnutrition
·Lack of prompt medical care for health issues
·Medication overdoses
·Poor hygiene (dirty clothes and/or hair)
·Strange emotional changes (anxiety, fear, social withdrawal)
·Unexplained falls
·Weight loss
Elders at Higher Risk of Abuse
While elder abuse and neglect can affect any elderly individual, some are at a greater risk than others.
Those who are at increased risk for elder maltreatment include:
- Dementia or Alzheimer’s patients
- Those in poor health
- Women
Effects of Elder Abuse
Elder abuse has devastating effects on victims and their loved ones. Consequences of elder abuse include:
Disabilities
Some physical injuries or illnesses caused by elder abuse, such as bedsores or broken bones, can take months or even years to recover. In some instances, elderly individuals may become permanently disabled as a result of their injuries.
Financial ruin
Financial exploitation of the elderly can leave those attempting to pay for food, housing, and medication destitute. The majority of seniors are unable to earn new income and must rely on their savings to subsist.
Medical bills
As a result of injuries caused by maltreatment or neglect, elders and their family members may incur costly medical expenses.
Job loss
A family member or relative may need to quit their work in order to provide temporary or permanent health care to an abused elderly loved one.
Psychological distress
Elder abuse victims are more prone to develop depression, fear, or anxiety. As a result, they may attempt self-isolation or even suicide. Knowing that an elderly loved one has been abused can also cause a great deal of tension and guilt for the family.
Death
The most severe forms of elder maltreatment can cause or contribute to a senior's demise.
Preventing Elder Abuse
The most effective method for preventing elder abuse is to prevent it from ever occurring.
Several methods for preventing elder maltreatment include:
·Regular contact with older adults and attentiveness to their needs
·Assisting older adults with errands and appointments
·Reporting probable cases of elder abuse to authorities as soon as possible;
·Offering assistance and support to caregivers to prevent caregiver exhaustion
·Seeking immediate assistance if a senior has a mental health impairment or an addiction
·Educating yourself and your loved ones to identify elder abuse
All forms of abuse can have terrible repercussions, so it is crucial to seek assistance immediately if you suspect abuse has occurred.
If you observe any signs of elder abuse in your loved one, please contact our team immediately. You can seek justice and compensation to ensure the safety of your loved one.
CONTACT US AT 713 – 723 – 8300
References:
www.nia.nih.gov/health/elder-abuse