| Elder abuse can take a number of forms and may be defined in various ways. It is most often defined as an action by a person in a position of trust which causes harm to an elder. Harmful actions by strangers are usually not considered elder abuse.
The exact incidence of elder abuse is unknown. One estimate for the United States places the number of seniors abused or mistreated at 1.5 million per year. The figure may be much higher since elder abuse is often not reported. In any event, with a rapidly growing elderly population, the numbers can be expected to rise.
WHAT CAN BE DONE ABOUT IT?
The first and most important thing that can be done to prevent Elder Abuse is to make sure it is reported. Those being abused are the ones who should take the action to report it. Unfortunately there is reluctance or fear on the part of the elder to report abuse. They may have been threatened with placement in a nursing home or, in the case of a family member as the abuser, may be too embarrassed for others to know of it. However, if you, as a neighbor, family member or friend, suspect abuse, you should immediately report it.
According to the Adult Protective Services, "Elder abuse in domestic settings is a widespread problem, affecting hundreds of thousands of elderly people across the country. However, because it is still largely hidden under the shroud of family secrecy, elder abuse is grossly underreported. Some experts estimate that only 1 out of 14 domestic elder abuse incidents (excluding the incidents of self-neglect) come to the attention of authorities. If this estimate is accurate, then domestic elder abuse cases reported to state adult protective service or aging agencies represent only the tip of the iceberg.
In 1981, researchers estimated that 10 percent of the U.S. elderly population, or 2.5 million people, were victims of various forms of elder abuse. In 1996, it was estimated that there were between 820,000 and 1,860,000 abused elders in the country. Yet because it is most often not reported, a true nationwide picture of elder abuse cannot be accurately drawn."
To learn more about this abhorrent crime to our Senior Citizens, follow the links below. The more we know what is happening, the signs to look for, and how to prevent it, the less these despicable acts will occur. We can help put these abusers behind bars or in therapy where they belong.
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