Elder Abuse

Through medical advancements and improved medical care, people in the United States are living a longer, fuller more active life. Unfortunately, while the elderly population is increasing, so is the incident of elder abuse. Approximately 2.1 million older Americans are victims of abuse. The majority of abuse occurs in the home by caregivers or family members not in institutions, which is a common misconception. 1

Elder abuse can take several different forms and there are several risk factors, which may lead to abuse. Risk factors for elder abuse include caregiver stress, the elderly person living alone (self-neglect) or living with or receiving care from others when there is no mechanism to detect abuse, and a family history of domestic violence. 2

Elder abuse can take any of the following forms:

• Physical Abuse - including but not limited to hitting, slapping, and kicking. (The elder may have bruises or red marks.)

• Sexual Abuse -- this includes unwanted sexual advances in any form. (The older person may have bruising around their genital area.)

• Emotional Abuse —including but not limited to name calling, belittling, yelling or making the person feel unwanted. (The elder may appear withdrawn or confrontational.)

• Neglect not caring for the elder including not feeding or grooming the elder. (The older person may appear emaciated and/or unkempt.) This can also include self-neglect which may be caused by a medical condition such as dementia.

• Financial exploitation -- controlling the elder’s finances for one’s own gain. (This may be manifested by the older person suddenly not being able to afford their medication or medical supplies.)

Many elders will not report abuse, and may feel powerless to remove themselves from the situation. The elder may feel a loyalty to the caregiver or may fear retribution from the abuser for exposing the situation. The elder may also feel shame or embarrassment and therefore will not reveal the abuse. 1

There are several assessment tools available if elder abuse is suspected. These tools are located on the “National Center for Elder Abuse” web site at www.elderabusecenter.org. The following questions may also be helpful in determining if an elder is a victim of abuse:

• Are you afraid of anyone in your family?
• Has anyone close to you tried to hurt you?
• Has anyone forced you to do things you didn’t want to do?
• Do you feel that nobody wants you around?
• Has anyone taken things that belong to you without your OK?

In Pennsylvania, health care providers are not mandated to report elder abuse. If abuse is suspected, and a provider chooses to report the abuse, the following phone numbers can be utilized for reporting:

In Pennsylvania: Area on Aging Protective Services- 24 hour hotlines

• Domestic abuse (abuse that occurs outside of an institution) – 1-800-490-8505

• Institutional abuse -- 1-800-254-5164.

National Eldercare Locator number (directs you to a local number): 1-800-677-1116

Though elder abuse is often a hidden problem, by asking the right questions and allowing elders to speak about their concerns, this important issue can be brought from its hiding place into the light. It is only by shining a light on the problem of elder abuse that can we begin to change the trend—one person at a time.

If you have concerns regarding any Gateway Health Plan^® members and need assistance, please call the Special Needs Unit at 1-800-642-3550 option 1.

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1 Elder Abuse and Neglect: In Search of solutions: www.APA.org

2 Risk Factors for Elder Abuse: www.elderabusecenter.org