Elder Abuse: Here, There and Everywhere

Elder Abuse: Here, There and Everywhere


By Lucy Andrews RN MS CEO
At Your Service Home Care
Santa Rosa CA. 95405

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.¹
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 estimates showing for every one case of abuse reported five cases go unreported.^2>

This means 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 CA. 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, as the financial climate declines, elder abuse, especially financial, goes up. Knowing the number of elders needing care increases as the general population ages, abuse becomes a looming issue for all members of the community. So how can we help to protect our elders, family members and ourselves?

The following signs from the National Center on Elder Abuse (NCEA) are clues that may indicate a problem exists, 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
Prevents 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
Withholds 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 needs to be aware of changes in their loved one’s behavior or that of their caregiver. One critical factor in prevention of elder abuse is regular observation and oversight of the elder and caregiver.
Routine assessment of a client’s physical well being and behavior and that of their caregiver provides needed insight to the overall health and wellness of the elder.

Look for clues identified 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 care being provided. 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 better control with on going communication from the 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 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

¹Elder 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

²National 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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