Elder Abuse Comes in Many Malicious Varieities (IN, USA)

By Hanns Pieper (Contact)

May 3, 2009

Estimating just how much elder abuse goes on in any community is not easy, but a reasonably reliable estimate is that about 4 percent of seniors suffer from some form of elder abuse.

In the Tri-State, that would mean that approximately 800 seniors are abused at any one point in time, and that is 800 seniors too many.

Physical abuse usually comes to mind first.

Inflicting physical damage on a senior is certainly abusive, but another form of physical abuse is withholding important things, such as medication, that are necessary for the senior's physical welfare.

Psychological abuse is often more subtle and harder to spot. In a youth-obsessed culture where it is already difficult enough to maintain a strong sense of self-worth as a senior, insults and verbal attacks can be devastating. Socially isolating or controlling the senior is another example of psychological abuse.

Perhaps the most common kind of elder abuse is financial abuse

Seniors frequently hand over control of their finances to their children or a trusted friend.

Unfortunately, sometimes these folks forget whose money it is and they start thinking of it as their own.

If you are at a loss as to how to report abuse, contact your Regional Council on Aging.

These councils are found in virtually all areas of the country. In Southern Indiana, the Elder Abuse Hotline is (800) 992-6978. Abuse can also be reported to Adult Protective Services at the Vanderburgh County Prosecutor's Office at (812) 435-5190.

Abridged

SOURCE:   Evansville Courier & Press - IN,USA

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