Elder Abuse: The Insidious Scourge Affecting Our Elderly

Elder Abuse: The Insidious Scourge Affecting Our Elderly

by Neville Goddard

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Language	:	English
File size	:	1432 KB
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Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
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Print length	:	12 pages
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What is Elder Abuse?

Elder abuse is any type of abuse or neglect that occurs to an older adult (65 years of age or older). It can take many forms, including physical, emotional, financial, and sexual abuse. Elder abuse can also be intentional or unintentional.

Intentional elder abuse is when someone deliberately causes harm to an older adult. This can include physical abuse, such as hitting, shoving, or restraining; emotional abuse, such as yelling, belittling, or isolating; financial abuse, such as stealing money or property; or sexual abuse.

Unintentional elder abuse occurs when someone fails to provide adequate care to an older adult. This can include neglecting to provide food, water, or shelter; failing to provide medical care; or failing to protect the older adult from harm.

How to Recognize Elder Abuse

The signs of elder abuse can be subtle and easy to miss. However, there are some key things to look for:

• Physical injuries, such as bruises, cuts, or broken bones
• Emotional distress, such as depression, anxiety, or withdrawal
• Financial problems, such as unpaid bills, missing money, or unusual spending
• Changes in behavior, such as becoming withdrawn, confused, or agitated
• Neglect, such as being left alone for long periods of time, not being given adequate food or water, or not being properly dressed

What to Do If You Suspect Elder Abuse

If you suspect that an older adult is being abused, it is important to take action. The first step is to talk to the older adult privately and ask if they are being abused. If they say they are, you should offer to help them get in touch with the authorities or a social service agency.

If the older adult is unable or unwilling to talk to you, you can contact the authorities or a social service agency yourself. You can also call the National Elder Abuse Hotline at 1-800-677-1116.

How to Protect Your Loved Ones

There are a number of things you can do to protect your loved ones from elder abuse:

• Talk to your loved ones about elder abuse and how to recognize it.
• Encourage your loved ones to stay active and involved in their community.
• Help your loved ones make financial plans and protect their assets.
• Check in on your loved ones regularly and offer help if needed.
• Report any suspected elder abuse to the authorities or a social service agency.

Elder abuse is a serious problem that affects millions of older adults each year. It is important to be aware of the signs of elder abuse and to know what to do if you suspect that someone is being abused. By taking action, we can help to protect our loved ones from this insidious scourge.

Additional Resources

• National Institute on Aging: Elder Abuse
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Elder Abuse
• Administration for Community Living: Elder Abuse
• National Elder Abuse Hotline