Preventing Elder Abuse and Neglect

Introduction

Elder abuse includes sexual, physical, or emotional harm inflicted on an elderly individual or their financial exploitation or neglect of their welfare by individuals who are directly responsible for their care. An individual above 60 years is considered as elderly. Elder abuse is a common and serious issue in the United States. In the U.S. alone, more than half a million cases are reported to the authorities yearly. Unfortunately, many cases go unreported. Elder abuse can occur in places where the elderly reside, and abusers can often be a family member. It can also happen in an institutional setting, such as a long-term care facility.

What Are the Different Types of Elder Abuse?

The different types of elder abuse include:

• Emotional Elder Abuse:

Treating elderly individuals in ways that result in emotional distress or psychological pain, including:

• Ignorance.

• Habitual blaming.

• Isolating them from friends and family.

• Humiliation.

• Terrorizing them.

• Physical Elder Abuse:

Physical abuse includes the non-accidental use of any force against the elderly individual that results in physical injury, pain, or impairment. Physical abuse not only includes shoving or hitting but also includes the inappropriate use of restraints, drugs, etc. The warning signs of physical abuse include:

• Unexplained injury signs like scars, bruises, etc.

• Sprains, broken bones, or dislocations.

• Broken eyeglasses.

• Rope marks on the wrist (signs of being restrained).

• Financial Exploitation:

Financial exploitation may include unauthorized use of an elderly individual’s property or funds by a caregiver or an outside scam. The warning signs of financial exploitation include:

• Sudden changes in the elderly individual’s financial condition.

• Cash or items missing from the elderly’s household.

• Significant withdrawals from the account of the elderly.

• Suspicious changes in power of attorney, wills, policies, or titles.

• Sexual Elder Abuse:

This involves contacting an elderly individual without their consent. The abuse may involve physical sexual acts, activities like showing the elderly individual pornographic material, forcing the elderly individual to watch sexual acts, and forcing the individual to undress, which also comes under sexual elder abuse.

The warning signs of sexual abuse include:

• Bruises around genitals or breasts.

• Unexplained anal or vaginal bleeding.

• Stained, torn, or bloody underclothing.

Elder Neglect:

It involves the failure to meet the elderly’s basic needs. The basic needs include clothing, food, water, hygiene, medical care, and shelter. This is the cause for over half of the reported cases of elder abuse. The neglect can be unintentional or intentional.

The signs of neglect include:

• Lack of basic hygiene.

• The house is dirty, or the house has safety hazards.

• The house lacks plumbing, electricity, cooling/heating, etc.

• Self neglect:

One of the most common forms of elder abuse is self-neglect. An elderly individual may lack personal hygiene, be malnourished, underweight, appear dehydrated, unable to pay necessary bills, or live in increasingly dirty conditions. Self-neglect may also be a sign of dementia, depression, grief, or other medical issues that were untreated.

What Are the Risk Factors?

Taking proper care of the elderly is not an easy task; the condition is difficult for the elderly individual, too, due to the infirmities and dependence that come with advancing age. The demands and responsibilities of caregiving, especially when the elderly’s condition worsens, can cause significant stress for the caregiver.

The risk factors include:

• The caregiver’s inability to manage stress.

• Lack of support and help from other potential caregivers.

• The condition of the elderly (the intensity of dementia or illness).

• Caregiver’s substance abuse.

• Social isolation situations where the elderly and caregiver are alone most of the time.

• Elderly’s role during a previous time in life (as an abusive partner or parent).

• Previous history of domestic violence in the house.

What Are the Preventive Measures?

Steps that a caregiver can take include:

• Take important steps to manage stress and burnout. Stress reduction methods include deep relaxation techniques, breathing exercises, meditation, yoga, etc.

• Follow techniques to keep anger under control.

• Self-care is essential; one should also find time to take care of one’s needs.

• Take steps to manage depression, and depression is a common issue seen in caregivers.

• Try to find a support group for caregivers caring for the elderly. This helps share one’s concerns and experiences with others facing the same challenges.

• If the caregiver is a substance abuser, take steps to overcome the same.

• Seek medical assistance if needed.

Steps that a close neighbor or friend can take to prevent elder abuse:

• Frequent visits and calls with the elderly.

• Ensure that the elderly are taking medication as per the physician's guidance.

• Look for warning signs of neglect or abuse and report if found.

• Stay with the elderly, if possible so the caregiver can take breaks.

Steps that a family caregiver can take to prevent abuse in a nursing home include:

• Being aware of abuse signs.

• Being in constant contact with their loved ones through calls and visits.

• Thoroughly researching about the nursing home before enrolling the elders into the nursing homes.

• In case of any concerns related to the elder’s care, bring them to the authorities' notice.

Steps that a nursing home can take to prevent elder abuse include:

• Installation of quality monitoring system.

• Creating solid patient care procedures and policies.

• Regular training of employees on elder abuse and neglect.

• Fostering frequent visits from volunteers and family members.

Self-care measures one can take include:

• Make sure that legal and financial affairs are in order. If not, seek professional assistance.

• If you are not satisfied with the care received, speak up to a trustworthy person.

• Always keep good contact with friends and family and avoid going into isolation.

What to Do in Case of Elder Abuse?

• If one is the victim of elder abuse and is being exploited, abused, or neglected, one should report it immediately. Share it with someone one can trust, whether a friend, doctor, or family member. Or contact the helplines.

• If one witnesses elder abuse, one should not hesitate to report the situation.

Conclusion

Elder abuse is an important problem that needs to be addressed. An important step towards preventing elder abuse is being aware of the issue, the warning signs, and preventive measures. If abuse or neglect of the elderly is suspected, immediate reporting of the same to the concerned authorities is required.