Elder Abuse is a Problem that Demands Attention
It's important to remember that elder abuse does not just occur at poorly run nursing homes or at the hired hands of unsavory caregivers. In fact, most cases of elder abuse are cases of domestic abuse. A national study conducted by the U.S. Department of Justice found that an abuser is a family member in 90 percent of the reported cases of elder abuse, with the abuser being an adult child or spouse two-thirds of the time.The same report also found that:
1. Adult protective service agencies substantiated that 551,011 people, aged 60 and over, experience abuse, neglect, and/or self-neglect every year;
2. For each case that is substantiated, about four more new incidents go unreported; and
3. People who reach the age of 80 or older suffer abuse and neglect two to three more than their proportion of the older population.
Don't blame the victim
A common stereotype of America's predominant culture is that older people are often cantankerous, overly independent (or overly dependent) and reluctant to adapt to new situations. This often becomes the excuse for observable injuries and the rationale behind verbal abuse. Indeed, much of the information on elder abuse centers on the circumstances and behavior of the abused. An older person's impairment is listed as a stressor for their caregivers and a cause for the abuse. Deliver Us - A Resource Book on Prevention Elder Abuse notes that, "Resentment of past mistreatment along with unresolved emotions may prompt a "retaliation mindset" for the abuser, a need to "get even.""
This echoes an important truth about domestic violence. Generally, the batterer blames the woman he batters for the abuse. "If you had this place cleaned up or the kids weren't always dirty or if you didn't flirt with every guy who passed by, this wouldn't happen." In cases of elder abuse, the caregiver blames the elder for deliberately being incontinent, overly demanding, ungrateful, or still alive.
All too often even well intentioned systems blame the victim for the abuse. What we as a community believe about domestic violence and elder abuse is important because it influences the way we treat our neighbors who are being abused. If we believe someone has behaved badly in the past, then we may believe that they are getting what they deserve. We may not see domestic violence and elder abuse as the crimes they are. But they are crimes, and abusers are criminals.
Domestic violence and elder abuse are crimes
Domestic violence, whether perpetrated on young women or older women, is a crime of power and control. So is elder abuse. They both stem from the belief that one person has the right to control another person. They are not about unrelieved stress by a caretaker or spouse or the behavior of the victim. It is important for victims to remember they should not be ashamed; unfortunately, domestic violence and elder abuse can happen to anyone.
In categorizing elder abuse as separate from domestic violence, we have made it harder for older women to obtain services from the grassroots shelter movement. Originally the expectation was - and to some degree remains - that women must first reach out and call a crisis line or law enforcement to get help. Older women particularly may have been raised to believe that domestic violence is a private matter and shouldn't be taken outside the family.
Help report elder abuse
The National Association of Adult Protective Services Administrators - National Center on Elder Abuse believes that only 4 percent of elder victims called for assistance for themselves. Because so few victims of elder abuse reach out for help, we as a community need to protect older victims of domestic violence and we as individuals need to take the initiative to report suspected abuse.
Possible indicators of abuse are cuts, lacerations, puncture wounds, bruises, welts, discoloration, any injury which has not been properly cared for, absence of hair and/or hemorrhaging below the scalp, petechia, burns, or soiled clothing and beds. Loss of weight, dehydration and/or malnourishment might also be a sign if it is not illness-related.
Emotional abuse always accompanies physical abuse. If you observe helplessness, fear, withdrawal, depression, agitation, denial, anger, confusion or disorientation, a hesitation to talk openly or implausible stories, don't immediately dismiss them as symptoms of senility or dementia. Be suspicious, look for additional clues. Please don't be afraid to report. Even if it turns out that abuse is not occurring, that's a good thing. If there is abuse, you may save a life.
If you suspect that you or someone you know is a victim of domestic violence call your local law enforcement agency, the Department of Health and Human Services Adult Protective Services, or the county attorney of the county where the person resides or where the abuse occurred. If you call the Elder Abuse Hotline at (800) 551-3191, it will connect you with the DPHHS Aging Services nearest you. They will assist and refer you to the appropriate person or agency to best meet your needs.
This article was written by Karen Thomas and Beth Satre and published in the October/November 2002 issue of Montana Senior News, but its information remains timely.