So what is elder abuse?
It's knowing, intentional or negligent act or acts that causes harm to a vulnerable adult. Like many forms of abuse it utilizes an expectation of trust towards the abuser.
Prevalence of Elder Abuse
Approximately 1 in 10 Americans over sixty have experienced some type of elder abuse.
Who's “At Risk”
- Socially isolated individuals
- Mentally impaired individuals
- Members of a household with a history of domestic violence
- Elders with a tendency towards verbal/ physical aggression
- Individuals aged 80+
- Women
- Individuals in poor physical health
Although elder abuse can happen to anyone, affecting all socioeconomic groups, cultures, races, genders, etc.
Types
Physical: causing pain, impairment or injury of senior (including restraining by physical or chemical means)
- Signs:
- Bruises/ welts/ grip marks around arms or neck
- Pressure marks
- Broken bones/ sprains/ dislocations
- Abrasions/ scars
- Burns
- Drug overdose
- Apparent failure to take medication regularly (too much or too little)
- Broken glasses
- Rope marks
- Dismissive attitude towards injuries
- Refusal to go to the same clinic for repeated injuries
- Inconsistent explanations for injuries
Sexual: non-consensual sexual contact, or display of sexually explicit material
- Signs:
- Bruising in erogenous zones
- Unexplained venereal disease or genital infection
- Unexplained vaginal or anal bleeding
- Torn/ stained/ bloody underclothing
Emotional: causing emotional harm (mental anguish, emotional pain, or fear) to an individual either through verbal communication, or silence
- Signs
- Withdrawal from normal activities
- Change in alertness
- Unusual depression
- Unusually/ unreasonably fearful/ suspicious
- Evasive, isolating behavior
- Tense relationships (especially with a potential abuser)
- Frequent arguments (again especially with a potential abuser)
- Overhearing threats or other assertions of power or control over the individual from a potential abuser
- Habitual blaming or scapegoating of the senior from a potential abuser
- Humiliating or ridiculing the senior by a potential abuser
- Uncommunicative or unresponsive
- Behaviors that mimic dementia: rocking, sucking or mumbling to themselves
- Removal of door from seniors room
Neglect: Refusal or failure to care for the obligations or needs (physical, emotional, or social) to a senior
- Signs
- Bedsores
- Unattended medical needs
- Poor hygiene
- Unusual weight loss/ malnutrition/ dehydration (sunken eyes)
- Unsanitary living conditions (dirt, bugs, soiled bedding or clothing)
- Unsuitable clothing for the weather
- Unsafe living conditions (no heat/ running water, faulty electrical wiring, fire hazards)
- Leaving a person with dementia unsupervised
Financial: Illegally taking, misusing or concealing funds, property or assets of a senior for the benefit of someone else
- Signs:
- Sudden changes in financial situation
- Items missing from their home
- Suspicious changes in wills, power of attorney, titles and policies
- Addition of names to a credit card
- Unpaid bills, or lack of medical care despite the senior having funds
- Account activity the individual couldn’t have done
- Unnecessary services, goods, or subscriptions
- Giving uncharacteristically large gifts or financial reimbursement for needed care/companionship
- Signatures on check that don't match the seniors
Healthcare fraud:
- Not providing but charging for healthcare
- Overcharging or double-billing for healthcare
- Getting kickbacks for prescriptions
- Over or under medicating
- Fraudulent remedies
- Medicaid fraud
At HELPS we frequently see another sort of elder abuse that's not typically considered: collector harassment. This form of abuse can be emotional and financial, and can result in self-neglect. Often people who are dealing with severe debt are also coping with additional significant issues such as the death of a spouse. Most seniors receive exempt income such as Social Security or pensions, meaning that legally, collectors cannot take their income. Unfortunately, seniors don't often understand their rights and they will pay old debt when they should be using their money for medication, heat, or food. Many of our clients have reported that they have done without food, medication, or heating; some were having panic attacks due to harassing collections calls. We believe that nobody deserves to suffer through collector harassment. If you or a loved one is experiencing this sort of elder abuse please call HELPS to see what we can do for you.
If you notice a change in behavior in an elder, pay attention! The effects of abuse on the elderly can mimic dementia. Emotionally, they may be more depressed, ambivalent, hypervigilant or anxious.
Also pay attention if the caregiver won't allow you to see the senior alone.
Reporting
Contact an Adult Protective Services Office (Find yours by clicking on your state and looking to the right of the map: http://www.napsa-now.org/get-help/help-in-your-area/) or the National Center on Elder Abuse ((855) 500-3537). To find your local Area Agency on Aging look here: http://www.n4a.org/about-n4a/?fa=aaa-title-VI they provide support through advocacy, information, and services. There is also an Eldercare Locater help line (1-800-677-1116 which is open 9am-8pm EST) that can help confidentially refer you to a local agency.
If the family member lives in a nursing home you can contact your state ombudsman program (Find here: http://www.ltcombudsman.org/ombudsman) their job is to advocate for residents of nursing homes, residential care homes and assisted living facilities.
For Medicaid fraud every state is required to have a Medicaid Fraud Control Unit to help prosecute Medicaid fraud, and patient abuse where the service participates in Medicaid. Individual state information available here: http://www.namfcu.net/states.
Remember that it's not your job to investigate. You should alert authorities of your suspicions and if you think someone is in immediate danger call 911.
For more information on HELPS Nonprofit Law Firm, you can visit our website at http://helpsishere.org or call us at 855-435-7787.
