Also called elder mistreatment and senior abuse, elder abuse occurs when elderly people are emotionally, physically or psychologically mistreated, according to the American Psychological Association. Examples of such behavior include neglecting, physically assaulting or taking financial advantage of a senior citizen, whether the abuse is intentional or not. Since aging makes seniors frailer, and therefore more vulnerable to mistreatment, it is important for their loved ones to recognize the signs of abuse.
Significance
Elder abuse can occur in the elderly person's home, the home of a relative or other caregiver, or a facility for elderly people, such as a nursing home. The issue does not receive as much attention as it should, in part because many cases of elder abuse go unreported, according to the National Center on Elder Abuse, or NCEA. The NCEA estimates that more than 10 percent of the elderly population in the United States may experience abuse, yet people report less than 20 percent of those cases. Consequently, most abused senior citizens who need help never receive it.
Features
Authorities receive more than 500,000 reports of elder abuse each year, and many of the guilty parties are the same people entrusted with caring for the elderly victims, notes Helpguide.org. Sometimes relatives of the abused senior may either commit the abuse or eventually discover or witness the abuse. It is common for family members to be the abuser since most caregivers for seniors are relatives, reports the NCEA. Abusive relatives often mistreat elderly family members they care for because they are unable to cope with the stress of being a caregiver, which can produce anxiety, depression and exhaustion.
Signs
Abused seniors frequently do not say anything to anyone about the situation, according to the NCEA. As a result, relatives and other people in their life need to remain alert for signs of mistreatment in order to help them. Such signs commonly include a strained relationship with the abusive caregiver, unexplained weight loss or personality changes like withdrawal, bedsores, inadequate hygiene and physical injuries like abrasions and bruises, which may not have received treatment. Another major warning indicating elder abuse is an emotionally or verbally abusive caregiver who uses ridicule or threats to maintain control over the senior.
Effects
The effect that elder abuse has on the family members of mistreated seniors depends on whether they are the abusers or not. Relatives who learn an elderly family member has been abused often feel both anger and grief, especially if the senior is badly injured or dies, according to the Superior Court of California, County of Santa Barbara. The emotions typically occur because the relatives were unaware of the situation or were not able to prevent it. Family members who abuse seniors related to them may feel anger and guilt also, sometimes because they understand they are mistreating their relative but feel unable to stop.
Prevention
Both seniors and their family members can help reduce the likelihood of elder abuse by performing certain actions. The NCEA recommends that seniors take good care of themselves to remain as healthy as possible, plan for their future care ahead of time to avoid family problems and participate in community and family activities to remain connected with other people and reduce social isolation. Relatives with an elderly family member who requires care should remain involved in the life of their elderly relative, research elder abuse to educate themselves and speak up or seek advice--from a trusted doctor or friend, for example--if they suspect an elderly relative is in danger.
References
- American Psychological Association: Elder Abuse and Neglect--In Search of Solutions
- Helpguide.org: Elder Abuse and Neglect
- National Center on Elder Abuse: Frequently Asked Questions
- National Center on Elder Abuse: Preventing Elder Abuse by Family Caregivers
- National Center on Elder Abuse: Why Should I Care About Elder Abuse?
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