HANCOCK COUNTY — Elder abuse may not be one of the crimes in the
forefront of publicity, but it is a county and nationwide issue
nonetheless, Hancock County Prosecutor Brent Eaton says.
Elder abuse, which includes the neglect of the elderly, is far more
common than many people realize, Eaton noted, and he wants to do
something about it by shedding more light on the topic.
“While about 1 in 10 people ages 60 and older who live in a home experience abuse, many situations go unreported,” Eaton said.
Earlier this month, officials from around the state, nation and world
bought the topic of elder abuse to light during Elder Abuse Awareness
Day in mid-June. However, Eaton noted the abuse of the elderly is
something he thinks about quite often and wants to make sure it is not
happening locally. When it does, he wants offenders held accountable.
In an effort to share more on the issue, Eaton is encouraging
everyone who is associated with an elder person to educate themselves on
what he calls “an important issue” and to report concerns of elder
abuse or neglect to local law enforcement.
“Cases go unreported for many reasons,” Eaton said. “Victims may not
have the physical capability or support they need to ask for help, or
they may not want to accuse a caregiver or family member of harm and get
them in trouble.”
In addition, Eaton noted, investigations for elder abuse cases can be
difficult and take a long time, which can be frustrating for victims
and loved ones.
“Not all behavior which appears to be morally wrong necessarily fits
the very narrow criminal statutes which Indiana has for prosecution on
these issues, but if you suspect you or someone you know may be a
victim, please reach out to local law enforcement so the concerns can be
properly investigated,” Eaton said.
With a proper investigation, Eaton stated, his prosecutors can work
to see what statutes may apply and can also work with other resources to
help victims and hold offenders accountable when possible.
Elder abuse commonly occurs at the hands of a caregiver person the
elder trusts. Types of elder abuse include physical abuse — when an
elder experiences illness, pain, injury, functional impairment, distress
or death as a result of the intentional use of physical force. That
includes acts such as hitting, kicking, pushing, slapping and burning.
There can also be sexual abuse, which involves forced or unwanted
sexual interaction of any kind with an older adult. This may include
unwanted sexual contact or non-contact acts such as sexual harassment.
Emotional or psychological abuse also occurs and refers to verbal or
nonverbal behaviors that inflict anguish, mental pain, fear or distress
on an older adult. Examples include humiliation or disrespect, verbal
and non-verbal threats, harassment and geographic or interpersonal
isolation.
There can also be neglect which is the failure to meet an older
adult’s basic needs. These needs include food, water, shelter, clothing,
hygiene and essential medical care. Plus, financial abuse is the
illegal, unauthorized or improper use of an elder’s money, benefits,
belongings, property or assets for the benefit of someone other than the
older adult.
“Our elderly population are among the most vulnerable,” Eaton said.
“It’s vital that those who interact with an elderly person understand
the signs of abuse and immediately report it.”
In addition to calling local authorities, the Indiana Council Against
Senior Exploitation is a resource that can help. If you or someone you
know is a victim of elder abuse, report it immediately. If there’s an
immediate threat, dial 911. To report incidents of fraud, obtain a case
manager or connect with resources. You can also call the National Elder
Fraud Hotline at 1-833-372-8311.
Senior Man in Wheelchair looking out of a window in a hospital corridor.
By Holly Gainer
UAB News
Approximately one in 10 older people living in the United States has
experienced physical, sexual, psychological or financial abuse or
neglect, according to the National Center on Elder Abuse.
To understand how to keep your elderly loved ones safe, whether in
your care or in the care of others, Patricia Speck, DNSc, a
board-certified family nurse practitioner who specializes in forensic
nursing, family and sexual violence at the University of Alabama at BirminghamSchool of Nursing, explains the different types of elder abuse and how to spot signs of and report suspected abuse.
Physical and sexual abuse
Physical abuse is defined as the intentional use of physical force
that results in illness, injury, pain or functional impairment.
“Unexplained bruises, cuts, burns and bedsores are signs of physical
abuse,” Speck explained. “If you notice sudden changes in behavior,
particularly when the suspected abuser is around, that is a sign that
you should seek help for your loved one.”
Speck says health care providers should suspect abuse if they see
subdural hemorrhages (or bleeding that occurs outside the brain as a
result of a head injury) and eye, nose and mouth injuries.
“Nurses should particularly look for signs of intentional injuries,
such as contusions of lips, cheeks, soft palate, facial fractures,
missing hair, particularly in odd places and not where you would expect
to see balding,” Speck said. “Bruising and skin tears in odd places,
like the abdomen or under the arm or in the crotch, are also common
signs.”
Another common indication of abuse is for people who spend most of their time in wheelchairs.
“If there is injury to an older person who is being restrained in a
wheelchair, you would look for friction burns on the abdomen or wrists,
different patterns in bruising and skin tears,” Speck said.
The majority of sexual assault cases to older adults are in the
community; but many are reported from institutions, and in most cases
the perpetrator is known by the victim.
Speck says signs of sexual abuse include unexplained venereal
diseases, genital infections, and bleeding and tearing in the genital
area. They also include bruises to the buttocks and around the inner and
outer thighs.
Psychological abuse
Psychological abuse is one of the most common types of abuse.
Suspected signs include unusual changes in behavior or sleep, fear or
anxiety, sadness, and isolation.
“Isolation is one of the worst symptoms of psychological abuse,”
Speck said. “Many older people who are being abused by a loved one don’t
want to tell other people what their son or daughter is doing to them
because it is their child. This leaves the victim feeling very alone and
depressed.”
Speck says control is a major issue in psychological abuse.
“The abuse could come in the form of scolding, insults and
degradation; but it could also be less obvious to see,” Speck said. “For
example, if a loved one or caretaker keeps a walker or wheelchair just
out of reach of the person so they can’t get up and around. Another
example might be withholding glasses or dentures from the patient so
they can’t eat or see.”
Common signs of abuse may occur when one notices that the patient is
unwilling to communicate when a certain person is in the room or nearby.
“If you suspect abuse and are speaking to the patient as part of an
investigation or as a friend or relative who is concerned, and you
notice the older person’s behavior changes, that should be a major
indicator of abuse,” Speck said. “The problem is that moving an older
person from their living environment may be disorienting. It takes time
to figure out what happened.”
Financial abuse
Financial abuse is defined as the illegal or impromptu use of an
elder’s funds, property or assets. Examples include forging an older
person’s signature, coercing an older person into signing documents,
such as a contract or will, and the improper use of power of attorney.
Speck says financial abuse is common among seniors, especially those
with dementia or cognitive impairment; but despite their mental state,
the best thing to do is believe them when they complain of missing
funds.
“When an older person complains, believe them and listen to them,”
she said. “If a loved one is in an assisted-living facility and
complains that things are missing, pay attention to that. It is
important to do this until you have evidence to prove otherwise.”
Not listening or disregarding complaints about financial abuse will
cause the victim to feel shame for not being believed and will also
create fear and skepticism when it comes to reporting future instances
of abuse. Providers want to create a trauma-informed safe environment.
Neglect
According to Speck, there are three types of neglect — physical, emotional and self.
“Physical neglect is defined as failing to attend to a person’s
medical hygiene, nutrition and dietary needs,” she said. “It may also
involve not giving them the medications they’ve been prescribed or not
changing their bandages on time.”
Emotional neglect also causes pain and distress.
“We often see emotional neglect when an older person is infantilized
by their caregivers,” she said. “Abandonment is also a common problem,
where someone is left at an emergency department or the hospital.”
Self-neglect is a growing concern and appears when a person chooses
not to be treated by a health care provider. Signs of self-neglect
include attempted suicide, withdrawal, anxiety, psychosomatic ailments
such as stomachaches and headaches, and difficulty sleeping. The older
person may desire to be alone, but social support is so important to the
older person’s health.
What to do if you see signs of abuse
As the elderly population continues to grow, understanding the signs
and symptoms of abuse is an important way to care for your loved ones.
Speck says the best thing to do is to be gentle and listen.
“Older people need you to be patient with them, so be patient and listen twice as long as you speak,” she said.
When communicating with an older person whom you suspect has been
abused, make sure the person knows what you are saying. If a document or
something they need to read is involved, make sure the letters are
large enough so they can read the print.
“They may not be able to see well in a bright room, or they may be
sensitive to loud speech and need you to speak in a slow, calm manner
using their language,” Speck said. “Avoid medical-ese. Ask them if they
have any difficulties, and offer to help them make the environment safer
for them. They will be more cooperative and trust you if you show that
you are putting their needs first.”
If you suspect abuse, talk with them when the two of you are alone.
Offer to take that person to get help and let them know you are worried
about their safety and well-being. Many communities have Coordinated Community Responses to Elder Abuse,
with a variety of services for the older person. Be proactive, identify
older persons at risk, and participate in the development of
Coordinated Community Responses to elder maltreatment. In Alabama, Adult Protective Services supports
and enables county departments to protect elderly and disabled adults
from abuse, neglect and exploitation and to prevent unnecessary
institutionalization.
In Alabama, to report abuse, neglect and exploitation of elders or vulnerable adults:
IMMEDIATE DANGER? Call 911 if that person is in immediate, life-threatening danger.
Call the HOTLINE at 1-800-458-7214 to report abuse, neglect and exploitation of elders or vulnerable adults when suspicious.
For services to support elder persons in your community, call 1-800-677-1116 TO PREVENT, the Eldercare Locator (a
public service of the U.S. Administration on Aging), to speak with
someone who will connect you to services for older adults and their
families and prevent abuse, neglect and exploitation of elders or
vulnerable adults.
