WHAT IS ELDER ABUSE?

It is the mistreatment or neglect of an elderly person, usually by a relative or caregiver. Elder Abuse is a serious and growing problem.  Learn the facts about elder abuse.  Seek help for elderly victims and abusers.  It is everyone’s responsibility to stop elder abuse.

ELDER ABUSE IS A NATIONAL DISGRACE – The home should be a place of comfort and refuge, but for too many elderly people it’s a place of punishment and fear.
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WHO ARE THE VICTIMS OF ELDER ABUSE? – The typical victim lives with a family member and depends on the relative for daily care.

WHY SHOULD I KNOW ABOUT ELDER ABUSE?

Because elder abuse happens more often than you might imagine, it’s a problem that is:
  • VERY SERIOUS – nobody wants to believe that adult children or caregivers abuse elderly people, but elder abuse happens with alarming frequency
  • AND HIDDEN – it goes largely unreported because many victims are ashamed or unable to report abuse, or fear reprisals if they do speak up
  • YOU CAN HELP END ELDER ABUSE – the first step is to be aware that a serious problem exists.  The second step is to learn what you can do about it

WHO ARE THE ABUSERS?

Typically, the abuser is a family member, who acts in a care giving role.  Likely some abusers my suffer from:
  • STRESS
  • ALCOHOL/DRUG PROBLEMS
  • EMOTIONAL PROBLEMS
  • DEPENDENCY

WHAT YOU CAN DO TO HELP STOP ELDER ABUSE:

Caregivers
  • Talk out problems if you’re experiencing conflict with family members or elderly relatives
  • Plan Fee Time to do something you enjoy each day
  • Seek Assistance from other family members when you need it
  • Contact Organizations, such as the Mahoney House or SE Idaho Area Agency on Aging

​Concerned Citizens
  • Be a Friend to an elderly person
  • Help provide transportation, home repair, and your sympathy and understanding

MANY VICTIMS OF ELDER ABUSE ARE:

  • AGE 75 OR OLDER
  • WOMEN – more women are abused than men
  • DEPENDENT – the victim relies on abuser for basic needs
  • SUFFERING -  from a mental or physical impairment
BUT SITUATIONS VARY – Many other victims are financially independent and in good physical health.  Emotional problems between an elder and relative/caregiver may also lead to abuse.

HOW ARE ELDERS ABUSED?

For too many elders, violence by a family member is a cruel and constant part of daily life.  Elder abuse may take the form of:
  • PHYSICAL ABUSE – beating, slapping, kicking or other abuse causing welts, sprains, burns bruises or dislocations; any abuse leading to injury or death
  • FINANCIAL EXPLOITATION – mismanaging money or stealing property, savings, credit cards or social security checks; insisting on an elders signature on wills, loans or other documents, and forcing an elder to turn over stocks, bonds or savings
  • VIOLATION OF RIGHTS – confining an elder unreasonably and against his or her will; forcing an elder out of the home or controlling his or her behavior
  • NEGLECT – failing to give medicine, food or personal care (such as assistance to the bathroom) withholding aids (such as dentures, hearing aids, eyeglasses, and walking aids)
  • PSYCHOLOGICAL ABUSE – verbal harassment, threats, withholding companionship from an elderly person or isolating him or her
  • OTHER – allowing an elder to live in unsanitary conditions or without adequate heat or ventilation; over medicating with drugs such as tranquilizers or sleeping pills
Report suspected cases of elder abuse to social services agencies or the police.
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