UC-Irvine Center Shines Spotlight on Elder Abuse (CAL. USA)

July 15, 2010


by Stephanie Stephens, California Healthline Regional Correspondent


On any night in Orange County, a child or woman may suffer abuse, neglect or exploitation, while down the street a vulnerable elder endures mistreatment by a caregiver or other person in a trust relationship.


The situation involving the child or female will attract the most attention, but elder advocates are encouraged that there is growing awareness of elder abuse, particularly with the national health reform law addressing elder abuse issues and the observation of World Elder Abuse Day last month.


"We say elder abuse is 20 years behind both domestic violence and child abuse," said Mary Twomey, co-director of the Center of Excellence on Elder Abuse & Neglect. The geriatrics program at UC-Irvine's School of Medicine houses the center.


"Elder abuse is finally getting the attention it deserves. People don't like to talk about getting old and about crimes against older people," Twomey said.


Celebrating five years of operation, the first-of-its-kind center -- established with a grant from the local Archstone Foundation -- has become a central, statewide source of technical assistance, best-practice information, multidisciplinary training, research and policy issues.


The Colors of Abuse


Unprecedented research from UCI's geriatrics experts examines the issue of inflicted elder bruising, often considered an unpleasant, misunderstood subject. "That information is answering basic questions for the first time in the field," said Twomey.


The three studies, under the direction of UCI gerontologist Aileen Wiglesworth, show that the cause of bruises can be remembered by most seniors, even those with memory disorders. A bruise can be almost any color on the day it appears, and it's nearly impossible to tell the age of a bruise by its color.


"The study to identify bruising patterns in older adults subjected to elder abuse is an important tool for law enforcement, Adult Protective Services and the (state's long-term care) ombudsman to protect our most vulnerable seniors," said Lynn Daucher, director of the California Department of Aging. "I am particularly proud that this effort has originated in Orange County."


The time for increased awareness of elder abuse has come, according to Carol Mitchell, program manager for Orange County Adult Protective Services. She said reports received by APS increased by 188% from 1994 through 2009. They continue to steadily increase, up from almost 4,000 in 1999 to nearly 7,000 last year. There were approximately 700 reports in both April and May this year.


"There is more awareness, and times are really hard for some people," said Mitchell. "People are calling; people are reporting."


Experts estimate that for each incident reported, five others are not. Nearly two million older Americans are abused each year, and studies show that between 2% and 10% of the nation's older adult population experiences abuse, neglect, financial exploitation or self neglect each year.


Abuse occurs in private homes, as well as commercial institutions. The most common type of abuse reported is self neglect, the failure to provide for one's own care. Individuals abused by others are most likely to have been neglected or financially abused, or both. The vast majority of abusers are relatives of the victims. The incidence of elder abuse increases significantly with age, with those ages 85 and older six times more likely to be suffering from abuse than those ages 65 to 69.



Abridged
SOURCE:   CaliforniaHealthLine
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