Some General Facts About Elder Abuse:

Elder Abuse is widespread: One to two million elderly people from all walks of life and all cultural backgrounds experience elder abuse each year.

Elder Abuse is still a hidden problem: Researchers say that only 1 out of every 14 elder abuse cases is reported. This is probably due to:
· Isolation of the elder.
· Elder’s sense of loyalty to the perpetrator.
· Lack of public awareness and denial.

What Elder Abuse is: Elder Abuse can be: financial, physical, or psychological abuse; or neglect.

Financial Elder Abuse: Any theft or misuse of an elder’s money or property, including use of the elder’s assets for the abuser’s gain.

Some examples:

* The agent or caregiver’s misuse of a senior’s power of attorney for personal gain.
* The use of coercion or deception to make the elder transfer assets.
* Misuse of the elder’s bank accounts or credit cards.
* Home equity loan and home repair scams targeting seniors.
* Staged automobile accidents.
* Telemarketing and mail fraud.
* Estate planning fraud.
* Marriage or sweetheart scams.

Possible Signs of Financial Abuse:

* Apparent change in elder’s signature style.
* Power of attorney given after elder no longer has clarity of mind or a sudden change in the elder’s power of attorney or will.
* New acquaintances expressing affection for an elder with assets.
* Missing personal belongings such as jewelry, art, silverware.
* Deliberate isolation of the elder by caregiver.
* Elder’s mail is missing or intercepted.
* Unusual or inappropriate bank activity connected with elder’s accounts.
* Elder’s bills, rent or mortgage going unpaid.
* New will drawn up naming recent acquaintances.
* Elder transferring all assets to caregiver in exchange for promise of lifelong care.

Tips:

- Elders need to choose people they trust when giving someone power over their financial decisions.
- Elders should get legal advice about planning for incapacity.
- Whenever elders have questions or concerns about legal or financial documents, they should get advice before they sign anything. Before making donations go to Charity Checklist and Telemarketing Fraud Investigation, Prosecution and Prevention

 

Physical Elder Abuse: Any physical pain or injury willfully inflicted on an elder by a caretaker or other person.

Examples of Physical Elder Abuse:
* Battering--pushing, hitting, slapping, kicking.
* Seriously trying to cause physical harm.
* Using or attempting to use a weapon.
* Unreasonably restraining--tying or locking up.
* Prolonged withholding of food and nourishment.
Possible Signs of Physical Abuse:
* Physical injuries that are not properly cared for.
* Cuts, bruises, burns, and discoloration of the skin.
* Dehydration or malnutrition without an illness-related cause.
* Depression, fear, anger, hysteria, withdrawal or unexplained weight loss.
* Soiled clothing or bed.

Tips:
- If possible, the elder should avoid living with any person who has a background of violent behavior, or alcohol or drug abuse.
- Elders need to be cautious about whom they let move in with them (including family members).
- It is helpful to elders if they keep in contact with friends, neighbors and health care providers.
- Elders can build support by inviting friends to visit them at home on a regular basis--building a buddy network

Psychological or Emotional Abuse: The willful infliction of mental suffering, including verbal assaults, threats, humiliation, intimidation or isolation.

Examples of Psychological or Emotional Abuse:
* Yelling, abusive phrases, and insults.
* Threatening to “put away” an elder who is still clear of mind.
* Intentionally isolating an elder from friends and family.

Possible Signs of Emotional Abuse:

* Elder’s hesitation to talk openly or talk about caregiver.
* Implausible stories or explanations for abuser’s behavior.
* Confusion, disorientation, denial, agitation, depression.
* Exaggerated fear or anger.
* Withdrawal, helplessness.
* Elder not permitted to meet alone with others.

Neglect: Intentional or unintentional failure to provide the necessary level of care for the elder. This may include a caregiver’s failure to protect the elder from danger, or abandonment by the caregiver.

Examples:
- Caregiver fails to provide food or prescription medicine to the elder.
- Caregiver fails to take elder to necessary medical appointments.
- Caregiver fails to provide physical aids, such as glasses and hearing aids, or personal hygiene.
- Caretaker allows living environment become unsafe.
Possible Signs of Neglect:
* Poor health conditions caused by failure of caregiver to provide medical care.
* Filthy or dangerous living conditions.
* Isolation, malnutrition, dehydration.

Tips:
* Elders benefit from participating in community activities as long as they are able.
* Elders can stay in touch with others in the community by keeping regular medical, dental, hairdresser and other personal appointments.
* Elders can develop a “buddy system” with a friend outside the home and have weekly contact.
* Elders may want to explore alternative sources of care and support.
* Elders need to be encouraged to ask for help when they need it.

Profile of an Abuser: The abuser is often an adult child, grandchild, relative or caregiver. There is no single explanation for why people commit elder abuse. Some elder abuse cases may involve one or more of the following dynamics:

· The abuser may be stressed out with responsibilities of caring for victim, but also financially dependent on victim.
· The abuser may have a drug or alcohol problem or be mentally ill.
· The abuser may blame the victim for the abuser’s inability to have a successful or fulfilling life.
· The abuser may be inappropriately defensive.
· The abuser may have health problems of his/her own.
· The abuser may have a history of abuse with the elder or another.

Mandated Reporters of Elder Abuse:

· Caregivers (with either full or part-time responsibility for the elder), including administrators and staff of any facility providing care or services for elders.
· Care custodians.
· Health practitioners.
· Employees of county adult protective services.
· Local law enforcement agencies.

Whom to Call if You Suspect Elder Abuse:

· Law Enforcement 911

· Adult Protective Services: 567-6894. Report is confidential. Trained social work will investigate.

· Ombudsman for Long Term Care: 638-6878. Investigates abuse or neglect in nursing homes and board and care facilities.

· District Attorney’s Office: 569-9289. Investigates and prosecutes criminal abuse of elders.

· Legal Assistance for Seniors: 832-3040. Free legal services for County residents 60 and over, including elder abuse.

Not intended to provide individual legal advice.
Produced by Legal Assistance for Seniors (LAS) at 464 Seventh Street, CA 94607.
Can be reproduced with permission, please call (510) 832-3040. The mission of Legal Assistance for Seniors is to assure the independence and dignity of seniors, especially those with the greatest need, by protecting and advocating for their legal rights. LAS is a non-profit agency serving Alameda County seniors age 60 and over. 02/21/02 LK 5

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