Tragically, only about 16 percent of elder abuse cases (including nursing home abuse and neglect) - of an estimated 2.1 million victims - are ever reported. In response, a West Texas initiative has begun at the Prevention of Elder Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation Conference held in May of this year, and it encourages reporting of suspected abuse or neglect. The hope is that education of the types and symptoms of abuse will allow loved ones and caregivers to recognize when abuse is occurring and be able to act to end it.
What Is Elder Abuse?
Millions of our nation's senior citizens (and other vulnerable persons) are abused in different ways. Mental, verbal, physical and financial abuses are more frequent as both life expectancy and a reliance on in-home or residential caregivers increases. People suffering from age-related mental disorders like Alzheimer's disease and dementia are particularly vulnerable to harm since they generally do not have either the capacity to understand they are being abused or the ability to describe it.
The blanket terms "elder abuse and neglect" include a wide range of symptoms and actions, including:
- Sexual assault (such as touching, groping or rape)
- Slapping, punching, kicking, biting, pinching or other physical abuses
- Dehydration / malnutrition
- Drastic weight loss / persistent hunger or thirst
- Administering unnecessary sedatives to keep patients quiet
- Mental / emotional abuses like yelling or derogatory comments
- Unexplained bruising
- Broken bones, commonly fingers
- Depression
- Obvious fear or anxiety around particular staff or family members
- Bed sores (technically called "decubitus ulcers", sometimes known as "pressure sores")
- Exposure to the elements, from frostbite and hypothermia to severe sunburn and wind-related chapping; these conditions signal that the victim has been allowed to wander away unsupervised
If you suspect that a friend or loved one is suffering from abuse, report it to an administrator or social welfare agency. If you fear that the victim is in imminent danger, call 911 for assistance. You should also contact an experienced elder law attorney in your area for more information about the steps you can take if you suspect elder abuse or neglect.
