Raising Awareness About Elder Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation
 In 2006, the International Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse and the World Health Organization declared June 15th World Elder Abuse Awareness Day. This is an opportunity for communities around the world to raise awareness about elder abuse, neglect, and financial exploitation.
Elder abuse is any abuse, including physical, financial, sexual, emotional, or neglect, against an older adult. It occurs in the home, in facilities, and out in communities. Abuse can be committed by family, caregivers, professionals, friends, or even strangers. The majority of abuse is committed within the family. Research has shown that 10% of all older adults in the community will experience some form of abuse. These rates are even higher for older adults living with dementia. Research suggests that between 27% and 55% of individuals living with dementia experience elder abuse. Unfortunately, most of this abuse goes unreported. Only 4% of elder abuse cases are ever reported.
Elder abuse has devastating consequences. Survivors may not only incur significant financial losses. They may also be at higher risk for health issues. Survivors have higher rates of depression, anxiety, and suicidality compared to older adults of a similar age who have not experienced elder abuse. Studies show that they have a 300% higher risk of early death than their peers. Given these alarming statistics, it is vital that anyone interacting with older adults know the signs of elder abuse and know how to report it.
Warning signs of elder abuse include:
- Unexplained / untreated injuries
- Broken / unused assistive devices or medical equipment
- Repeated hospitalizations
- Poor hygiene, dehydration, malnutrition
- Fear of someone in their life
- Emotional distress, agitation, withdrawal
- Depression, anxiety, low self-esteem
- Trouble sleeping / changes in appetite
- Out of character financial decisions
- A caregiver who ignores the older adult, is overly defensive, or doesn’t allow the older adult to talk privately
- An unsafe, unhygienic home
- Unpaid bills around the home
- A lack of food or other necessities in the home
All reports of suspected elder abuse, neglect, and financial exploitation should be made to Adult Protective Services in the county where the older adult lives. Reports can also be made to the Virginia State Hotline: 888-832-3858
Sources:
Acierno, R. et al., (2009). National Elder Mistreatment Study. (U.S. Department of Justice grant report, NCJ 226456, March 2009), https://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/nij/grants/226456.pdf
Dong, X, Simon, M., Mendes de Leon, C., Fulmer, T., Beck, T., Hebert, L. (2009). Elder self-neglect and abuse and mortality risk in a community-dwelling population. Journal of the American Medical Association, 302(5), 517–526. doi: 10.1001/jama.2009.1109
Lifespan of Greater Rochester, Weill Cornell Medical Center of Cornell University, & New York City Department for the Aging. (2011). Under the radar: New York State elder abuse prevalence study. Self-reported prevalence and documented case surveys, Final report. New York, NY: William B. Hoyt Memorial New York State Children and Family Trust Fund, and the New York State Office of Children and Family Services
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