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Elder abuse refers to the mistreatment, harm, or neglect of older adults, typically those aged 60 or above, by individuals or institutions entrusted with their care or by family members. It encompasses a range of actions or omissions that cause physical, emotional, financial, or sexual harm to elderly individuals.
Elder abuse can take various forms and may be victimized by family, friends, caregivers, acquaintances, or strangers. Power and control dynamics, similar to those seen in domestic violence and sexual assault cases involving younger victims, are often present in abuse in later life situations.
Abuse in Later Life May Include:
Physical Abuse: the intentional use of physical force that results in the acute or chronic illness, bodily injury, physical pain, functional impairment, distress or death.
Sexual Abuse or Abusive Sexual Contact: forced or unwanted sexual interaction (touching and non-touching acts) of any kind with an older adult. Acts committed against an incapacitated person who is not competent to give informed consent to sexual acts are also included.
Emotional or Psychological Abuse: verbal or nonverbal behavior that results in the infliction of anguish, mental pain, fear, or distress.
Neglect: failure by a caregiver or other responsible person to protect an elder from harm or the failure to meet needs for essential medical care, nutrition, hydration, hygiene, clothing, basic activities of daily living or shelter, which results in serious risk of compromised health and safety.
Financial Abuse or Exploitation: the illegal, unauthorized or improper use of another individual’s resources by a caregiver or other person in a trusting relationship, for the benefit of someone other than the older individual.
Elder abuse is a violation of human rights and dignity. It can have devastating consequences for the well-being and quality of life of older adults. Crucial to detect and address elder abuse promptly, provide support and resources for victims or implement preventive measures to safeguard the rights and welfare of our aging population.
Who is at Risk for Later in Life Abuse:
Elder abuse can happen to any older adult, but certain factors may increase the risk of an individual experiencing abuse.
Age and frailty: 75 years of age or older adults who have physical or cognitive limitations may be more vulnerable to abuse. They are usually female.
Cognitive impairment: Older adults with dementia or Alzheimer’s disease may be at a higher risk of abuse due to their diminished capacity to recognize or report abuse and their increased reliance on others for care.
Isolation: Older adults who are socially isolated or lack a strong support network may be more vulnerable to abuse. Isolation can make it harder for them to seek help or for abuse to be detected by others.
Dependence on caregivers: Older adults who rely on caregivers for assistance with activities of daily living, medical care, or financial management are more vulnerable to abuse. This dependence creates a power dynamic that can be exploited by unscrupulous caregivers.
History of violence or abuse: Older adults who have experienced violence or abuse earlier in life may have an increased risk of experiencing abuse in later years. Prior victimization can make them more susceptible to ongoing mistreatment.
Financial vulnerability: Older adults who have significant assets, limited financial literacy, or depend on others for financial management may be targeted for financial exploitation or scams.
Substance abuse or mental health issues: Older adults with substance abuse or mental health issues could be at higher risk of abuse due to potential exploitation, neglect, or mistreatment by caregivers or others who take advantage of their vulnerabilities.
Elder abuse is a serious violation of an individual’s rights and should never be tolerated. Identifying and addressing risk factors, along with promoting awareness, education, and support networks, can help prevent and address elder abuse effectively.
Abuse in Later Life can be:
- Usually related to the elderly person – whether a spouse, adult son or daughter, grandchild, or other relative – lives with and provides care for the elderly person 75% of the time.
- The presence of an elderly person needing additional care can cause stress that contributes to the caregiver’s abusive behavior.
- The caregiver may be abusive and uses power and control to achieve a desired outcome
How to Identify Later in Life Abuse
Identifying abuse in later life can be challenging as it may go unnoticed or be mistaken for other age-related issues. However, there are signs and indicators to watch for that may suggest potential abuse.
What to Look for in Abuse in Later Life:
Physical signs: Look for unexplained injuries, bruises, burns, or scars on the elder’s body. Frequent injuries, particularly in different stages of healing, can be a cause for concern.
Changes in their overall physical appearance or hygiene may indicate neglect can be a form of abuse.
Emotional and behavioral changes: Be alert to sudden changes in the elder’s behavior, mood, or emotional well-being. They may become withdrawn, fearful, anxious, or depressed. They might display signs of agitation, unusual passivity, or exhibit symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Isolation and withdrawal: When the senior begins to isolate themselves from family, friends, or social activities they used to enjoy. Perpetrators often try to create a sense of isolation and cut off the elderly from their support networks, making it easier for them to exert control.
Neglect: Look for signs of neglect, such as untreated medical conditions, poor hygiene, malnutrition, or unsafe living conditions. Neglect can be intentional or unintentional, but both are harmful.
Unusual fear or discomfort around specific individuals: If the elder consistently seems fearful or uncomfortable in the presence of certain individuals, it may be a red flag signaling abuse.
Changes in caregiver behavior: If there is a caregiver involved, pay attention to their behavior. Signs of abuse may include controlling or isolating the elder, displaying aggression or hostility, or demonstrating excessive dependence on the elder’s finances.
Financial exploitation: Signs of financial abuse include unauthorized use of the elder’s funds or assets, sudden financial changes, missing personal belongings, or unexplained financial transactions. The elder may mention a caregiver or family member who is pressuring or coercing them into giving money or controlling their finances.
Unexplained changes in legal documents: Be vigilant for sudden changes in legal documents, such as wills, power of attorney, or deeds. These alterations may indicate undue influence or coercion on the part of an abuser.
Response to Abuse in Later Life
To formulate an appropriate response to cases of abuse in later life, it is critical to understand the dynamics present. Perpetrators will often strive to exert their power and control over victims so they can coerce or manipulate some benefit for themselves, such as money, a place to stay, access to prescription medication, and the like. They may financially exploit an older adult, feeling entitled to take a Social Security check or empty a bank account. To maintain power and control, these abusers typically use various coercive tactics including physical and psychological abuse and isolation. Abusers may intimidate their victims and prevent them from reporting the exploitation or abuse out of fear of retaliation. They may also lie and manipulate family members, friends, and professionals to hide or justify their behavior.
In addition to cases of abuse in later life, older adults may be harmed even if power and control dynamics or greed are not present. In these situations, often the individual experiences fear and trauma. Additional factors may be present, further complicating abuse in later life cases. If the abuser is an adult child, victims often protect their child rather than focusing on their safety. Older victims may feel shame, guilt, and embarrassment because they are being abused by their child. Some victims have physical or cognitive limitations that abusers can target to manipulate them through the breaking of assistive devices, the denying of health care or comfort measures, and threats to place them in a nursing home.
Ways to Help
If you suspect elder abuse, it is important to respond with care and seek appropriate help. Report your concerns to local adult protective services, law enforcement, or other relevant agencies that specialize in elder abuse. They can conduct an investigation and provide support to ensure the elder’s safety and well-being.
Ways you may help include:
- Focus on victim safety.
- Recognize that victims are resilient and have often engaged in strategies to keep themselves safe. Advocates and trusted loved ones can build on the strategies older victims are already using.
- Create a safety plan with older victims, taking into consideration any physical and cognitive limitations.
- Be aware of and avoid assumptions about what is best for victims.
- Avoid succumbing to ageism. Don’t assume all older adults are frail, mentally incompetent, and/or asexual. Approach older victims with the same respect, sensitivity, and open-mindedness afforded to all victims.
- Identify and build upon older victims’ strengths and skills.
Considerations
Many older victims may want to maintain a relationship with their abuser, especially when the abuser may be an intimate partner, adult child, other family member, or a caregiver. The victim may want help ending the abuse while still finding a way to have a connection with the abuser.
Some older victims have vision, hearing, or mobility challenges and may need help addressing medical or disability issues as they evaluate their options. Consider working with health care providers or local independent living centers.
Some older victims may have cognitive limitations such as dementia, developmental disabilities, or a traumatic brain injury that make it difficult or impossible for them to determine what they want to do and to follow-through with their plans.
Consider the need for transportation assistance, access to mobility devices such as wheelchairs, walkers, or canes, and other medical or assistive devices.
Be aware of the physical needs of older victims. Ensure they have access to their medication and food and are able to rest when needed. Ask if they need glasses to see printed materials or if they need material printed in larger font. Ask if they need to meet in a quiet space to hear and to have a conversation.
Seek Help
Due to the diverse nature of these crimes, trauma-informed advocacy services will be provided based on the self-defined needs of the survivor(s). Advocacy services are available to any survivor of a crime, their family, and support system regardless of race, color, economic status, religion, familial status, parenthood, national origin, place of residence, political affiliation, disability, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, social status, gender, sexual orientation, age, or physical ability.
The Advocacy program of Someplace Safe is operated by staff and/or volunteers who have been trained to help victims and survivors of crime cope with a wide range of needs and responses to victimization. All advocacy services provided by Someplace Safe are completely free and confidential.
Someplace Safe provides services based on clients’ self-defined goals and gauges success based on clients successfully meeting those goals.
Someplace Safe Crisis Line: 1-800-974-3359
Email: info.@someplacesafe.info
Services Available to Victims and Survivors of Crime
The Crime Victim Advocacy program of Someplace Safe is provided by staff trained to assist survivors of crime, their families and support systems. Advocates are trained staff and volunteers who offer help to survivors, families, and friends who have been affected by crime or violence.
Advocacy services are available to any survivor of a crime, regardless of race, color, economic status, religion, familial status, parenthood, national origin, place of residence, political affiliation, disability, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, social status, gender, sexual orientation, age, or physical ability. Accessible services are available. Accessibility includes interpreters (foreign language and DHH), live chat, and text.
*Staff are mandated by law to report information regarding child abuse or certain situations involving vulnerable adults.
Advocacy services are free and confidential and include:
24-Hour Crisis Line
Someplace Safe operates an emergency crisis line, answered 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The line is staffed by individuals trained to listen, offer information, and make referrals to emergency agencies if necessary.
Civil/Legal Assistance
Staff may help guide survivors by providing options within the legal and court system. This may include assistance in filing protective orders and/ or accompaniment to court hearings.
Assistance through the Criminal Court Process
Staff can assist with answering questions, criminal court tracking and accompaniment throughout the court process. Assistance and information is available on a variety of topics, including reparations, restitution, Victim Impact Statements and Community Impact Statements.
Hospital or Law Enforcement Accompaniment
Staff are available to assist survivors of crime in emergency situations at local hospitals/clinics, emergency rooms, or law enforcement centers.
Short-Term Emergency Placement (S.T.E.P.S.)
S.T.E.P.S. may be available for survivors of crime who require short- term emergency housing due to an immediate crisis or victimization. A screening and intake process is required.
Support & Empowerment Groups
Various groups offer a supportive environment in which survivors can explore, discuss and understand the impact and dynamics of violence with other survivors.
Parenting Time Centers
Parenting Time Centers provide safe, neutral environments to visit or exchange children. Intakes are required. A sliding fee scale applies for services. Services include contact exchanges, visitation scheduling, supervised phone calls and Skype.
Please contact the Parenting Time Center at 218-739-3132 for intake information and locations.
Community Thrift Stores
Someplace Safe operates Thrift Stores. The stores are open to the public for shopping and donations. Clients in need may qualify for vouchers for items. Contact a local advocate for more details.