Elder Abuse

Elder Abuse

By Linda Ahlhelm, RN, Elder Abuse Expert

Johnson County LIVING WELL Magazine

Elder abuse is the mistreatment of an older person by someone who has a relationship with that person. It could be a spouse, child, friend, neighbor, caregiver or acquaintance. The actual abuse can occur in the home of a relative, the elder’s own home, or the home of an unrelated caregiver.

There are several types of elder abuse classified into several categories. There is physical, sexual, emotional, psychological, neglect, self-neglect, financial exploitation and abandonment.

Physical abuse is the use of physical force that can result in injury, physical pain or impairment. Acts of violence include hitting, slapping, beating, shoving, shaking, pulling hair, kicking, pinching or burning.

Sexual abuse is sexual contact that is forced upon an elderly individual. This act could be tricked or threatened. If an elder has not given permission or is incapable of giving consent due to mental capacity, such as dementia, abuse may occur. This can be unwanted touching, kissing, oral contact, genital contact, rape, forced nudity or sexually explicit photography.

Emotional or psychological abuse is pain or distress, caused by verbal or non-verbal acts. This form of abuse includes derogatory name-calling, insults, threats, intimidation, and humiliation. Giving the silent treatment can also be viewed as abuse.

Neglect is the refusal or failure to provide necessary care to an elder by someone who has assumed responsibility for that person. It includes the refusal or failure to provide the elder with life necessities that include food, water, clothing, personal hygiene, medicine, comfort or personal safety. Neglect includes the failure to pay for home care services by a person who has assumed financial responsibility.

Unintentional abuse may result when someone in charge is no longer capable of providing care.

Self-neglect occurs when an individual’s behavior threatens his/her own health or safety. It is an individual’s failure to provide adequate food, water, shelter, hygiene, medication or personal safety. Self-neglect does not occur when a competent older individual understands consequences and makes a choice based on that knowledge.

Financial exploitation results when someone illegally or improperly uses the funds of an elder. This can be a debit card, checking account, bank account or stock account. This abuse can be forging a signature, coercing an elder’s cooperation to obtain funds, stealing possessions, or tricking an elder to change legal documents.

Abandonment is the desertion of an elderly person by someone who has responsibility for that elder.

Factors that contribute to elder abuse include a history of domestic violence, learned behavior, personal problems of the abuser, caregiver stress or lack of coping skills by the caregiver. It is important to learn preventive measures when dealing with abuse issues. Report suspected abuse whenever it is suspected. Educate the public to assist in preventive measures. Health care workers need to always be aware of signs that might mean abuse. Support services to help with family issues can reduce the risk for elder abuse. During the current economic situation many caregivers are attempting to support children and parents.

Adult protective services operate within each state. If you suspect abuse, report your findings and the agency will investigate.

Freedom of choice is for everyone. It is especially important to elderly individuals. Many elders view choice as the only control of their life they have left. We must balance responsibility for safety of elders with the elder’s right to freedom.