I often reflect back on my childhood memories as my mind plays vivid picture shows—the images tease my senses and take me back to a simpler time and place—like waking up on a cool summer morning on my Aunt Vicky’s farm to the smell of the morning dew rising off the fields and fresh eggs frying under a crackling fire in the old Home Comfort® cooking stove. I remember her laughter and smiles as she told stories of yesteryears and taught me to cook on an open flame. What did I miss later on when those she trusted betrayed her and money was lost? Did I miss something she tried to say or was she silenced by her fear of losing a trust, friendships, and her all important independence?
Daily, it seems I hear news reports depicting outrageous stories of child abuse, battered women, and animal cruelty taking place in every neighborhood and town across our country. Have the elderly faded into the fringes of our communities, or do we simply reassure ourselves that elder abuse cannot happen to us or those we love? The reality of elder abuse paints a grim picture as it is often life altering to the abused and devastating to what should be the golden years of life.
How big is the problem of elder abuse? The National Center on Elder Abuse estimates between one and two million Americans ages 65 and older have been injured, exploited, or otherwise mistreated by someone they depend on for care or protection. Experts estimate that less than one in six seniors who have been abused actually report the abuse and get the help they need.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention define six types of elder maltreatment:
• Physical – Abuse occurs when an elder is injured as a result of hitting, kicking, pushing, slapping, burning, or other show of force.
• Sexual – Abuse involves forcing an elder to take part in a sexual act when the elder does not or cannot consent.
• Emotional – Abuse refers to behaviors that harm an elder’s self-worth or emotional well being. Examples include name calling, scaring, embarrassing, destroying property, or not letting the elder see friends and family.
• Neglect – Failure to meet an elder’s basic needs. These needs include food, housing, clothing, and medical care.
• Abandonment – Happens when a caregiver leaves an elder alone and no longer provides care for him or her.
• Financial – Illegally misusing an elder’s money, property, or assets.
Often, simply recognizing the warning signs can help prevent abuse and break the cycle of this tragedy. The National Center on Elder Abuse lists the following warning signs:
• Physical Abuse – Slap marks, unexplained bruises, most pressure marks, and certain types of burns or blisters, such as cigarette burns
• Neglect – Pressure ulcers, filth, malnutrition, dehydration, or lack of medical care
• Emotional Abuse – Withdrawal from normal activities, unexplained changes in alertness, or other unusual behavioral changes
• Sexual Abuse – Bruises around the breasts or genital area and unexplained sexually transmitted diseases
• Financial Abuse/Exploitation – Sudden change in finances and accounts, altered wills and trusts, unusual bank withdrawals, checks written as “loans” or “gifts,” and loss of property
Financial exploitation of the 80+ elderly population is of growing concern for the U.S. Administration on Aging (AOA) as baby boomers in this age group will reach an estimated nine and a half million in 2030. Financial exploitation affects people of all socioeconomic backgrounds—no one is excluded. I believe financial abuse to be especially heinous because it can deprive otherwise financially secure persons of their ability to continue living their lives independently.
I often wonder what happened to Aunt Vicky’s laughter in her final days. Was it her loss of independence or a depression suffered in silence, knowing she had been robbed of her ability to choose by one she trusted? Talk openly to those you love about abuse, recognize the signs, get informed, and advocate for those you love—their happiness and well being may depend on it.
For more information I recommend these resources:
U.S. Administration on Aging National Center on Elder Abuse
Telephone: (202) 619-0724 Web Address: www.ncea.aoa.gov
E-Mail: aoainfo@aoa.hhs.gov
The Preston Medical Library
Telephone: (865) 305-9525
E-mail: library@utmck.edu
Howard Baker, RN BSN
For questions, comments, or suggestions on topics you want to read about please e-mail me at: howard@howardsbaker.com
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