ELDER ABUSE

When we think of elder or senior abuse, most of us think of physical abuse, but elder abuse can consist of many types of abuse besides physical. There is sexual abuse, financial exploitation, neglect, intimidation and emotional abuse to name a few. Also inappropriate use of drugs, restraints and confinement are other types of abuse.

Most victims of elder abuse are females and most abuse is from family members, often spouses. Most cases of abuse happen in the family home; although institutional settings, mainly long term care facilities, are also common places of physical and emotional elder abuse. As a nurse who has been in home care for many years, I have seen many forms of abuse of seniors. Many times abuse is not physically evident, but there is a 'feeling' in the home that things are not quite right.

Sometimes family members are living with the older person and, on the surface, things seem fine, but while talking with the elderly person, danger signs begin to surface. I always listen carefully when my patients talk to me.

The typical abuser seems to be a spouse or a middle-aged son who lives in the home with the older person. Other times it is a trusted caregiver who fails to meet the older person's needs physically or abandons the elderly person. Perhaps the caregiver is exploiting the elderly person by stealing from her. This may be money, food or possessions.

Elder abuse is hard to identify. The abuse a senior experiences can often be hidden or disguised. A few things to look for are: Broken Bones and Bruises that are blamed on falls when the real cause is hitting, beating or pinching. Weight-Loss that may be blamed on illness or loss of appetite when the real cause is neglect and starvation. Dementia is another warning sign. It may be blamed on "old age" but the real cause may be malnutrition or over-medicating (drug misuse).

Neighbors may report that their elderly neighbor never goes outside and no visitors come to visit. They may see trash beginning to pile up or old newspapers on their porch.

Sometimes, the bank may start seeing unusual withdrawals being made on an elderly persons account or someone saying they represent the senior withdrawing large sums from a savings account. An attorney may wonder why an elderly person signs over his or her home to a relative. All these signs may be elder abuse and should be investigated immediately.

Every year, a half-million reports of elder abuse are received in the U.S. If you suspect elder abuse is happening there is an Eldercare Locator number at 1-800-677-1116. The person answering this number can refer the caller to a local agency that will help. This number is answered Monday through Friday 9 am to 8 pm, Eastern time. Elder abuse can also be reported to your local Adult Protective Services.

If the situation is serious, threatening or dangerous call 9-1-1 or the local police department for immediate help.