Elder Abuse
Although elder abuse has occurred for centuries, it wasn’t until the late
1970’s – early 1980’s that elder abuse victims received national attention.
In 1981 the Select Committee on Aging held hearings in which victimized elders gave
firsthand testimony of their experiences. The report concluded that elder abuse is a full
scale national problem, and exists with a frequency few dare to imagine. It is estimated
that 1.5 to 1.84 million Americans are victims of elder abuse annually. Arizona
Adult Protective Services handles approximately 10,000 cases a year in Maricopa
County. To address this
issue the Mesa Police Department offers training on elder abuse, community education
programs, and works closely with Adult Protective Services and the Office of the
Arizona Attorney
General.
Elder Abuse is Rarely Reported
One of the obstacles in determining an accurate number of elder abuse victims is the
fact that elder abuse is rarely reported. Estimates show that only 1 in 14 incidents of
elder abuse are reported to authorities. The reasons why this abuse is rarely reported
include:
Fear
- Fear of retaliation by the abuser
- Fear of not being believed
- Fear of being institutionalized, or separated from family and familiar things
- Fear of the criminal justice system
- Fear of loneliness
Protect the Abuser
- Adult children and caregivers are often the abusers, and because of the guilt and shame in being abused
by one’s own child or by a trusted caregiver, the abuse is not reported.
Social Isolation
- An isolated older victim may not know how or where to seek help. Elders often live
alone, or with family members and don’t interact with others in the community.
Self-Blame/Denial
- Many victims do not seek help because they either blame themselves for the abuse, or
they tolerate and accept the abuse.
Inability to Report
- Mental impairments: Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia
may cause memory loss and impair the ability to communicate effectively.
- Physical impairments may affect the victim's ability to get to the
phone or leave the home to report abuse, or a stroke may affect their
ability to communicate.
Types of Elder Abuse & the Warning Signs
- Physical Abuse: the infliction of physical
pain or injury, and/or use of physical restraints that result in physical pain or
impairment
Warning signs: bruises, welts, lacerations, fractures, burns, hair missing from
being pulled, abrasions from physical confinement, over- or under- medicated, unexpected
deterioration of health; victim is agitated or fearful, caregiver refuses to let elder
have visitors.
- Sexual Abuse: non-consensual sexual
contact of any kind with an elderly person
Warning signs:
unexplained genital infections or sexually transmitted diseases, torn or bloody
underclothes, difficulty walking or sitting; victim is withdrawn, fears touching,
shameful, anxious.
- Psychological/Emotional Abuse: infliction
of mental pain, anguish or distress through verbal or nonverbal acts
Warning signs:
fearful, eating disorders, self-medication with alcohol or prescription medications,
depression, agitation, withdrawn, anger, low self-esteem.
- Financial Abuse/Exploitation: illegal or
improper use of funds, property, or assets.
Warning signs: unexplained or sudden
inability to pay bills, unexplained or sudden withdrawal of money from accounts, disparity
between assets and living conditions, unusual interest by family member in an elder's
assets, changes in the elder's will/other documents, improper use of guardianship,
conservatorship, or power of attorney.
- Neglect: failure or refusal to fulfill any
part of a person’s obligations or duties to an elderly person
Warning signs: bed sores, dehydration,
malnutrition, poor hygiene, unsanitary/unsafe living conditions, improper use of
medication; victim appears detached, unresponsive, helpless.
A warning sign of every type of abuse is when
the elder reports being abused.
Characteristics of Victims
- Majority are 75+ years of age
- Two-thirds are female
- Have one or more physical or mental impairments
- Often widowed or divorced and socially isolated
- Usually live with the abuser
Characteristics of Abusers
- 90% of abusers are known to the victim
- More than two-thirds are relatives of the victim
- May be socially isolated, possibly substance abusers or persons with poor employment records
- May be forced to provide care, and are unprepared for the responsibility and related
stress
- May be financially or emotionally dependent on the elder
How Can You Help?
Study the warning signs of the types of abuse, and share this information with friends,
relatives, and neighbors.
Report suspected abuse to the Mesa Police Department, or
call Arizona Adult Protective Services' Adult Abuse Hotline at 1-877-SOS-ADULT
(1-877-767-2385). The elderly deserve honor and respect, not abuse.
Arizona State Statutes Pertaining to Elder Abuse
Arizona has been very active in legislating elder abuse. Several statutes are now in
place to protect the victims of abuse, and to prosecute the abusers.
Other Arizona Agencies Involved in Elder Abuse
Investigation
Area Agency on Aging
24-hour Senior HELPLINE
(602) 264-HELP (602-264-4357)
- Maricopa Elder Abuse Prevention Alliance (MEAPA)
- Long Term Care Ombudsman
- Elder Emergency Housing Program for victims of abuse
and late-life domestic violence
Medicaid/AHCCCS Fraud Control Unit
(602) 542-3881
Investigate fraud by providers in the AHCCCS & Long Term Care
systems
Department of
Health Services
Office of Long Term Care
(602) 364-2690
Internet Links on Elder Abuse
National Center on Elder Abuse (NCEA) (www.ncea.aoa.gov)
American Association of Retired Persons (www.aarp.org/)
Area Agency on Aging, Region One (www.aaaphx.org.)
U.S. Administration on Aging (www.aoa.gov/)
Family Caregiver Alliance (www.caregiver.org/caregiver/jsp/home.jsp)
National Center for Victims of Crime
(NCVC) (www.ncvc.org/)
American
Bar Association Commission on Domestic Violence (www.abaneet.org/domviol/home.html)
If you have any questions, or if you would like
to arrange for someone to speak to your group about elder abuse, please contact
Karen Stegenga, Crime Prevention Officer, Mesa Police Dept., (480) 644-5014.
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