JustCare

Tag: Elder abuse

  • Abuse of people 60 and older more common

    Abuse of people 60 and older more common

    Around the world, abuse of people 60 and older has become more common. A new World Health Organization study published in Lancet Global Health reveals that around one in six older adults are abused. To arrive at this finding, researchers looked at 52 studies of elder abuse in 28 countries.

    Abuse comes in different forms. Psychological abuse is most prevalent, affecting more than one in ten (11.6 percent) older adults. With psychological abuse, a person’s self-worth is harmed. The person may be called names. Or, the person may be made to feel embarrassed or scared. Or, the person may be isolated from family and friends.

    Financial abuse is also relatively common, affecting about one in fourteen (6.8 percent) older adults. In these cases, the abuser may take the older person’s money or other property.

    Neglect affects more than one in 25 (4.2 percent) older adults. In cases of neglect, basic needs of the older adult are not met, including medical care, food, housing, and clothing,

    Physical abuse affects about one in 40 (2.6 percent) older people.

    Elder abuse in any of these forms occurs between older people and the people they trust, and it affects the health and well-being of older people. Abuse can cause depression, stress, anxiety, as well as pain. Abuse also increases the likelihood of hospitalization, emergency care, nursing home care and premature death.

    Today there are one billion people 60 and older around the world. That number is projected to double by 2050. But, despite the documented prevalence of elder abuse, governments are not addressing elder abuse to the extent they need to.

    The researchers propose more studies on the frequency of elder abuse, along with evidence-based guidance on how best to address and prevent elder abuse.

    Here’s more from Just Care:

  • How to prevent elder abuse

    How to prevent elder abuse

    Elder abuse is a serious problem that takes many forms.  According to Brown University professor Dr. Richard Besdine, it can mean physical, mental or sexual harm and financial exploitation. It can also stem from inaction such as serious neglect and failure to meet a person’s basic needs.

    Elder abuse is far more common than you might imagine.  It’s estimated that about one in ten older adults experience elder abuse each year. Usually abuse comes from someone the older adult trusts.

    Financial exploitation is the most common type of elder abuse.  And, sadly, nine out of ten times it is the children, spouse, hired caregivers or others known to older adults who are responsible.  But, it’s also common for outside predators to take advantage of vulnerable older people. They often use email and telephone to persuade vulnerable older people to send money and personal information their way.

    Many people do not know how to identify elder abuse, turning away from the reality before them.  For example they assume that the older adult was always planning to giver her money to her son, so it shouldn’t matter he’s taking it early.  Or, the caregiver is stressed out from caregiving and takes advantage of the older adult to ease her stress.

    According to Dr. Besdine, elder abuse has “devastating and far-reaching health consequences.” People who experience elder abuse are three times more likely to die younger than people who do not who otherwise have the same health profiles.  It also triples the odds they will be admitted to a hospital and quadruples their odds of a nursing home admission.

    What are some of the risk factors for elder abuse?  The Centers for Disease Control lists six risk factors: 1. Heavy alcohol or drug use; 2. High levels of stress; 3. Lack of social support; 4. High emotional or financial dependence; 5. Lack of training in how to care for an older adult; 6. Depression.

    How do you prevent elder abuse?

    1. Listen carefully to the older adult to get a sense of his or her challenges and offer support
    2. Help out an overextended caregiver to reduce stress and depression and enhance well-being
    3. If possible, enlist several people to help with caregiving
    4. Check in regularly with the older adult, especially if he or she has few friends or social contacts
    5. Report abuse to Adult Protective Services

    For more information, call the Elder Abuse Helplines and Hotlines at 1-800-677-1116. You can also read this booklet from The National Center for Elder Abuse, Preventing Elder Abuse by Family Caregivers.

    You might also be interested in reading about financial scams and how to protect yourself against strangers offering help.

    To learn more, here’s a report on key elder abuse issues by the U.S. Government Accountability Office.

  • Doormen could be your best bet for preventing elder abuse

    Doormen could be your best bet for preventing elder abuse

     
    Elder abuse is a growing problem, and one that often goes unreported. Thankfully, some doormen are being trained to identify signs of elder abuse.