Self-Neglect the Most Common Form of Elder Abuse

Self-neglect the most common form of elder abuse



By Prue Salasky


June 12, 2010


There's no typical victim of elder abuse. Every case is different, says Barbara Stewart, supervisor of Adult Protective Services in Hampton. "You can't generalize. Each case is handled individually." But there are common contributing factors to a problem that's growing as people live longer. Peninsula resident Eva Gaskins, 96, was at risk on several counts: her advanced age, dementia, and isolation — she has no immediate family. Two cousins believe that she was exploited by more than one caregiver, resulting in her losing all her possessions and landing in a nursing home, a situation they say Gaskins was determined to avoid. Her case is currently under investigation.


Gaskins' case is among more than 15,500 allegations of abuse reported to the state in 2009, a 9 percent increase over the previous year. (It's believed that at least as many cases go unreported.) Virginia recognizes the dangers and its Adult Protective Services division has outlets covering every community to support and advocate for those who aren't able to fend for themselves. Last year, it found well over half of the allegations to be substantiated.


However, contrary to popular perception, most do not stem from caregiver abuse, but from what APS labels as "self-neglect." That's when an older person, either through mental or physical infirmity, is no longer able to take care of themselves effectively. Likewise, most occur in an adult's own home and not in an institution. "Sometimes it's a very gradual thing. It gets to a point where they're really not meeting their needs," says Teresa Carter, who supervises the APS unit for Newport News Human Services."Often, it's the neighbors who notice first — perhaps the yard used to be neat but it isn't being kept up." At the Peninsula Agency on Aging, whose work complements that of APS, Sharon Brandau, director of social work, says that, "It's more common than people think. Often a home-delivered meals volunteer will notice." That's one reason Carter emphasizes the importance of on-site visiting. "You need to see in order to assess," she says, advising concerned long-distance family members to have someone check on a loved one if they're not able to themselves.


Self-neglect takes several forms, from poor nutrition and inadequate hygiene to allowing unsanitary household conditions. "It's the most common thing we investigate," says Carter. "They're not able to take care of their needs; sometimes it's for physical reasons and sometimes dementia." Another problem is that the individual must want to be helped. "You can't just remove an adult from the home, as you would a small child," says Stewart. "You have to explore the options. Sometimes family comes forward or neighbors. We try to protect the individual. We have lots of resources." These include nutrition-based services, adult day care or foster care, and guardianship assistance. One of APS' most-used resources for keeping seniors in their homes is its companion program, which provides aides to help with housework, shopping, cooking and laundry. The program has just had its budget slashed. For localities throughout the state, this means fewer hours that they can allot companions to needy seniors, a low-cost alternative to nursing-home care.

Call the 24/7 Adult Protective Services hot line at 1-888-832-3858. (If it's an immediate emergency, dial 911.) Those reporting on behalf of someone else can remain anonymous. Social Services will send someone to the home within 24 hours to ascertain the person's condition and safety. APS serves those 60 or older, or incapacitated adults over the age of 18.



In Hampton, call 728-2120; in Newport News, 926-6329.


Another source of information, particularly helpful for out-ot-town relatives, is the website padrn.org, the Peninsula Aging and Disability Resource Network.





Abridged
SOURCE:     TheDailyPress
__________________________________________

Click for Updates, More Cases and Resources
Search Right Col/Labels for More Posts/Resources