Elder Abuse - It's More Prevalent Than You Think

Types of Elder Abuse

Elder abuse is an issue that often goes unrecognized, but it is certainly one that demands attention.  Elder abuse can take one or more of several forms: physical, pyschological/emotional, financial, sexual, neglect, or rights abuse.  Often, caregivers will give seniors false and/or excessive amounts of medication.  In financial abuse, seniors are often coerced physically or mentally to change their wills and distribute property or money in a manner the senior does not wish.  These types of abuse can be committed by anyone from a family caregiver to a facility in which the senior is living.

Alarming Statistics

The National Center on Elder Abuse has compiled a number of alarming statistics concerning elder abuse.  Among the most troubling are these four:

1.  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.

2.  Date on elder abuse in domestic settings suggest that 1 in 14 incidents, excluding incidents of self-neglect, come to the attention of authorities.

3.  Current estimates put the overall reporting of financial exploitation at only 1 in 25 cases, suggesting that there may be at least 5 million financial abuse victims each year.

4.  It is estimated that for every one case of elder abuse, neglect, exploitation, or self-neglect reported to authorities, about five more go unreported.

Warning Signs

As you can see, elder abuse is a very serious issue, and many instances of it go unreported.  To take preventitive measures it is important to look for warning signs in your loved one or his/her caregiver relationship.  Here is a fantastic link that describes different warning signs for different types of abuse: http://ezinearticles.com/?Spotting-the-Warning-Signs-of-Elder-Abuse&id=3856537. 

Conclusion

Elder abuse is out there, but it is preventable.  The first step in fighting it is awareness.  Know the different types of abuses and the warning signs for them.  Often, victims of abuse are ashamed to discuss it.  Establish and maintain an open discourse with your loved one so that you feel comfortable talking about difficult topics.  Good luck, and feel free to share any helpful insights you may have.