By Tom Smith
Senior Staff Writer
June 14, 2009
Jerry Groce said he hears frightful stories about the treatment some elderly residents suffer.
They're physically, mentally, emotionally and financially being abused," said Groce, director of the Franklin County Department of Human Resources.
"This is something that is very concerning because our older population is the fastest-growing segment of our society. That's going to continue to grow as the baby boomer generation gets older.
"And as people grow older, elder abuse is going to continue to happen if we do not get a handle on the situation," Groce said.
In an effort to bring awareness to the problem, Monday has been declared the third annual World Elder Abuse Awareness Day.
Pam Gilbert, adult services supervisor for the Lauderdale County DHR, describes elder abuse as an "underreported" problem.
"This is happening in all of our counties in North Alabama and a lot of people don't realize that abuse or neglect is occurring," Gilbert said.
Statistics indicate in most cases the abuser is a caregiver or a family member.
"To some extent, it can be unintentional," Gilbert said. "Sometimes family members expect their loved ones to be the same or be able to do the things they could do when they were younger. They don't want to admit it; they don't want to see their parents grow older."
Groce said elder abuse is a growing problem nationwide and worldwide.
Alabama DHR Commissioner Nancy Buckner said it is hoped that the awareness day will bring attention to the problem because it's "a crime that often goes unreported and undetected."
In Alabama in 2008, there were 5,000 cases of elder abuse investigated, officials said.
Buckner said the victims of elder abuse are people who have worked hard and made sacrifices to help their families and others have a better quality of life.
"It is a bitter, cruel irony that, in the autumn of their lives, many of them are being abused and neglected by their own relatives or caregivers," Buckner said.
Louise Taylor, director of the Colbert County Department of Human Resources, said that in 2008 there were more than 300 reports of elder abuse in Colbert, Franklin and Lauderdale counties.
"So far, in the first four to five months of (2009), there have been in excess of 100 reports, so it appears this year there will be more in our area," Taylor said.
Groce said there has been an increase in abuse and neglect reports in the past few years.
"In the past we might get 20 (reports) a year; now we'll get 10 to 15 in one month," he said.
Taylor said the problem seems to be escalating.
"The reports used to be of neglect or exploitation, but it's getting to be more reports of physical abuse," Taylor said. "There are reports of adults who have been shoved down and their money or medications being taken.
"This is an overlooked and senseless crime. That's why this awareness day is so important."
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