Eye on abuse: Seniors often can’t help selves when being victimized
September 10, 2010
It’s a hard fact for people who love and cherish their elderly relatives to grasp, but hundreds of thousands of older adults in this country are abused every year. And those victimizing them are often family members, friends or others in whom they placed their trust.
Umeika Stephens, APRN-BC, a nurse practitioner in Depression Care/Behavioral Health Services at Dearborn’s Henry Ford Medical Center-Fairlane, says frail older adults who depend on others are the ones who are most often victimized. She says the abuse can take many forms.
“We tend to think of abuse as primarily physical, sexual or emotional, and abuse of the elderly does, sadly, take all of those forms. But it also often includes neglecting their basic needs and leaving them alone when they are unable to care for themselves.”
Stephens says older adults who saved all of their lives so they would have financial security often fall victims to unscrupulous friends, relatives or strangers who take or con them out of money or property. Often, it’s their own children who take advantage of them.
There is no typical victim, and no typical setting. It happens to elderly people who live in their own home, or with a relative, or in a hospital or nursing home. Stephens says it’s a situation that can affect anyone.
“Demographics don’t play a role. We find abuse of the elderly across ethnic, economic and religious backgrounds.”
Among those most at risk, though, are people with Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia.
Stephens says abusers may use violence, intimidation and threats to get their way. They also may try to control their victim’s lives, even deciding who is allowed to visit and where they can go.
The person who is being victimized often isn’t able to get help for himself or herself.
Either they’re not healthy enough to, or they’re too embarrassed to seek help. So it’s important for friends and family to watch for signs their loved one is in jeopardy.
The National Center on Elder Abuse (ncea.aoa.gov) lists a number of warning signs to watch for.
• Physical abuse – slap marks, unexplained bruises, most pressure marks and certain types of burns or blisters, such as cigarette burns.
• Neglect –- pressure ulcers, filth, lack of medical care, malnutrition or dehydration.
• Emotional abuse –- Withdrawal from normal activities, unexplained changes in alertness or other unusual behavioral changes.
• Sexual abuse – bruises around the breasts or genital area and unexplained sexually transmitted diseases.
• Financial abuse/exploitation – sudden change in finances and accounts, altered wills and trusts, unusual bank withdrawals, checks written as loans or gifts, and loss of property.
People who care for someone with dementia need to learn about the disease and how to prevent them from being abused.
Anyone who suspects their loved one is in immediate danger should call 911 or the police department. If their life isn’t in immediate danger, the suspected abuse should be reported to Adult Abuse reporting and Protective Services. In Michigan, the number to call is (800) 996-6228.
Stephens says it’s important for people who are being abused to know that help is available.
“If there is someone they trust that they can confide in, they should ask that person for help. If not they can call the Eldercare Locator, which is part of the Administration on Aging.” The number for the Eldercare Locator is (800) 677-1116.
If the suspected abuse is occurring in a nursing home, another resource is the state’s long-term-care ombudsman. That office can be reached at (866) 485-9393.
These offices, says Stephens, investigate suspected cases of abuse and neglect and can arrange for help for the victims.
Stephens says there are steps people can take to lessen their chance of falling prey to an abuser.
“People need to take care of their health. When they’re feeling well they have more confidence in their ability to run their own lives and are less likely to allow someone else to take control,” she says.
Staying active also helps.
“Being out and about or volunteering or visiting friends and family frequently means more people are going to notice if something appears off,” Stephens says.
The community as a whole has a responsibility as well.
“We should all be aware of what’s happening with our loved ones and other older adults we come in contact with and not be afraid to speak up,” she says. “Ask questions, and don’t hesitate to report suspected cases of abuse.”
Umeika Stephens, APRN-BC, a nurse practitioner in Depression Care/Behavioral Health Services at Dearborn’s Henry Ford Medical Center-Fairlane, says frail older adults who depend on others are the ones who are most often victimized. She says the abuse can take many forms.
“We tend to think of abuse as primarily physical, sexual or emotional, and abuse of the elderly does, sadly, take all of those forms. But it also often includes neglecting their basic needs and leaving them alone when they are unable to care for themselves.”
Stephens says older adults who saved all of their lives so they would have financial security often fall victims to unscrupulous friends, relatives or strangers who take or con them out of money or property. Often, it’s their own children who take advantage of them.
There is no typical victim, and no typical setting. It happens to elderly people who live in their own home, or with a relative, or in a hospital or nursing home. Stephens says it’s a situation that can affect anyone.
“Demographics don’t play a role. We find abuse of the elderly across ethnic, economic and religious backgrounds.”
Among those most at risk, though, are people with Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia.
Stephens says abusers may use violence, intimidation and threats to get their way. They also may try to control their victim’s lives, even deciding who is allowed to visit and where they can go.
The person who is being victimized often isn’t able to get help for himself or herself.
Either they’re not healthy enough to, or they’re too embarrassed to seek help. So it’s important for friends and family to watch for signs their loved one is in jeopardy.
The National Center on Elder Abuse (ncea.aoa.gov) lists a number of warning signs to watch for.
• Physical abuse – slap marks, unexplained bruises, most pressure marks and certain types of burns or blisters, such as cigarette burns.
• Neglect –- pressure ulcers, filth, lack of medical care, malnutrition or dehydration.
• Emotional abuse –- Withdrawal from normal activities, unexplained changes in alertness or other unusual behavioral changes.
• Sexual abuse – bruises around the breasts or genital area and unexplained sexually transmitted diseases.
• Financial abuse/exploitation – sudden change in finances and accounts, altered wills and trusts, unusual bank withdrawals, checks written as loans or gifts, and loss of property.
People who care for someone with dementia need to learn about the disease and how to prevent them from being abused.
Anyone who suspects their loved one is in immediate danger should call 911 or the police department. If their life isn’t in immediate danger, the suspected abuse should be reported to Adult Abuse reporting and Protective Services. In Michigan, the number to call is (800) 996-6228.
Stephens says it’s important for people who are being abused to know that help is available.
“If there is someone they trust that they can confide in, they should ask that person for help. If not they can call the Eldercare Locator, which is part of the Administration on Aging.” The number for the Eldercare Locator is (800) 677-1116.
If the suspected abuse is occurring in a nursing home, another resource is the state’s long-term-care ombudsman. That office can be reached at (866) 485-9393.
These offices, says Stephens, investigate suspected cases of abuse and neglect and can arrange for help for the victims.
Stephens says there are steps people can take to lessen their chance of falling prey to an abuser.
“People need to take care of their health. When they’re feeling well they have more confidence in their ability to run their own lives and are less likely to allow someone else to take control,” she says.
Staying active also helps.
“Being out and about or volunteering or visiting friends and family frequently means more people are going to notice if something appears off,” Stephens says.
The community as a whole has a responsibility as well.
“We should all be aware of what’s happening with our loved ones and other older adults we come in contact with and not be afraid to speak up,” she says. “Ask questions, and don’t hesitate to report suspected cases of abuse.”
SOURCE: Press and Guide
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