Elder Abuse

Elder Abuse

There weren't any bruises , any cuts any scars. There was nothing about her that would make anyone think she was guarding a secret. A secret that was burdensome and painful. A secret she was afraid and ashamed to share. A secret that left bruises on her soul and sorrow in her eyes.

Upon closer look, one might notice that her clothing although clean was faded and worn; the color long gone, the fabric thin and the size too big. The postman remembered that she used to be at the mailbox waiting with a smile and a question about his family, his newest grandbaby. He remembered that now and then she'd be there, but the smile never reached her eyes and she no longer asked about the kids.

The bank teller remembered that she rarely came to the bank alone anymore and she guessed the younger man with her was her son who used to live 50 miles away. She wasn't sure because he never let her stay long enough to visit or answer any small talk.

The neighbor who lived four doors down remembered that she hadn't been to the senior center for a few months and had said "No" to the last three bus trips that she so loved. Most times when she called her, "He always answered and said she was asleep or working in her flower garden, finally I just gave up and quit calling."

She could be your neighbor, your friend, your customer, your aunt and she shares a secret with the other 8000+ abused seniors who were reported to one of the Illinois Department on Aging's 45 Elder abuse programs. She also shares this secret with the thousands of seniors whose stories are never heard, never reported.

Locally 617 cases of elder abuse were investigated last year by elder abuse caseworkers from the Center for Prevention of Abuse. Seven full time caseworkers, trained by Illinois Department on Aging, provide services to over 200 seniors every month in Peoria, Tazewell, Fulton, Marshall, Stark and Woodford counties.

Elder Abuse, an ugly word for what the Academy of Family Physicians states is an epidemic: "We are losing our elders to an epidemic rarely talked about or even acknowledged. An epidemic that leaves some ashamed, some afraid and too many dead."

It's a growing epidemic that is kept hidden behind closed doors. It crosses all socio-economic lines, all cultures, and all races. The victims afraid of losing their independence or afraid of seeing a loved one go to jail are reluctant to report. Feelings of shame and fear of being labeled incompetent add to the silence. Many seniors don't know what constitutes elder abuse, aren't aware that Elder Abuse and Neglect Programs exist.

Elder abuse can be defined in several ways: physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional abuse (the #q threat abusers use to keep an elder in line are threats of nursing home placement), confinement, passive neglect, willful deprivation and financial exploitation. Generally, more than one type of abuse is suspected to occur at one time.

While not every abuse is an indicator of abuse, bilateral bruising on the upper arms or the presence of old and new bruises at the same time may be indicators that the senior is being physically abused.

Indicators of financial exploitation:

• A caregiver or family member with access to an older adult's money appears to use the funds for himself or herself rather than for the older person, resulting in many unpaid bills or overdue rent.
• An older adult doesn't have adequate food, clothing or personal care items when there appears to be enough money to provide them.
• An older person loans large sums of money with no arrangement for repayment.
• An older person is grossly overcharged for residence or services.

Behavioral Indicators:

• These behaviors on the part of the older person, in and of themselves, do not indicate abuse or neglect; but, combined with other indicators, they may be significant.
• Fear, withdrawal, depression, helplessness, resignation, hesitation to talk openly or implausible stories.
• Confusion, disorientation or contradictory statements not due to mental dysfunction.
• Anger, denial, non-responsiveness, agitation, or anxiety.

Indicators of abuse family or caregiver:

• The caregiver does not allow the older adult to speak for him or herself or to see others without the caregiver present.
• Lack of assistance, attitudes of indifference or anger toward the older person.
• Family member blames the older adult (such as for incontinence.)
• Aggressive behavior toward the older adult (threats, insults, harassment).
•   Withholding of security or affection.
• Problems with alcohol, drugs, or mental illness.
• Family or older person is socially isolated.
• Conflicting accounts of incidents by family, supporters and victims.
• Unwillingness or reluctance to comply with the case plan.

Any person can voluntarily report. By law, anyone making an elder abuse report in good faith has civil and criminal immunity from liability and professional disciplinary action.

Certain professionals are required by law to report suspected abuse, neglect and exploitation of persons age 60 years and over who live in the community and "because of dysfunction are unable to report for themselves." Among those required to report are: doctors, nurses, psychologists, dentists, social service workers and law enforcement personnel.

No matter who reports, the identity of the reporter id NOT disclosed without the written permission of the reporter or by order of a court.

Maybe that neighbor, that friend, that man or woman that you smiled at every week in the grocery store is waiting for you to ask "Are you okay?" Maybe they are waiting for you to be the voice that they can't raise. We can break the Silence. We are all responsible. There is no excuse for elder abuse. The cycle of abuse can end with you.

By: Joyce DeRenzy, Director of Senior Services, the Center for Prevention of Abuse