Elder Abuse

WHAT IS ELDER ABUSE?

Abuse is intentionally causing pain, suffering, and/or injury to a vulnerable adult. Abuse can be physical, mental, or sexual.

WHO IS CONSIDERED A VULNERABLE ADULT?

Any adult 60 years or older who cannot take care of him/herself is considered a vulnerable adult. Other adults considered vulnerable are 18 years or older and:

• Have a legal guardian;
• Have a developmental disability;
• Live in a facility licensed by DSHS/ADSA;
• Receive services from a DSHS contracted individual provider;
• Receive in-home services through a licensed health, hospice, or home care agency;
• Have a personal care aide who performs care under his/her direction for compensation.

ELDER ABUSE FACTS

Abuse comes in many forms. Know the signs and symptoms of abuse and don't be hesitant to act on a gut feeling. Educate those around you about Elder Abuse and what to do if they believe a vulnerable adult is being abused. Ensure that Respite Care is available to caregivers. Often abuse is the result of frustrated, overworked caregivers who became overwhelmed and lashed out at the vulnerable adult.

Most incidents of elder abuse do not happen in nursing homes; rather it takes place at home. The great majority of older people live on their own or with their spouses, children, siblings, or other relatives, not in institutional setting. When elder abuse happens, family, other household members, and paid caregivers usually are the abusers. Although there are extreme cases of elder abuse, often the abuse is subtle, and the distinction between normal interpersonal stress and abuse is not always easy to discern.

There is no single pattern of elder abuse in the home. Sometimes the abuse is a continuation of long-standing patterns of physical or emotional abuse within the family. Perhaps, more commonly, the abuse is related to changes in living situations and relationships brought about by the older person's growing frailty and dependence on others for companionship and for meeting basic needs.

It isn't just infirm or mentally impaired elderly people who are vulnerable to abuse. Elders who are ill, frail, disabled, and mentally impaired or depressed are at greater risk of abuse, but even those who do not have these obvious risk factors can find themselves in abusive situations and relationships.

Stay alert to possible signs and symptoms of the different forms of abuse, signs include:

• Unexplained injuries or behavior;
• Vulnerable adult appears afraid of a person or certain situations;
• Vulnerable adult is kept isolated from others;
• Vulnerable adult reports abuse.

HOW TO PROTECT AN ELDER OR VULNERABLE ADULT

• Talk with your parents. Get a feel for what they understand, what they want and what they do with their time;
• If you feel that your parents are at risk for their physical or financial welfare, file a report with Adult Protective Services (APS) 1-866-363-4276. APS will do a home visit and make an assessment of their needs;
• Have medical assessments done. It will be necessary to have medical documentation to support housing and/or financial assistance;
• Ensure that your parents have prepared a will;
• Consider obtaining Power of Attorney (POA). There are varying powers available and need not take control from your parent's ability to make their own decisions. A POA is very helpful when needing to access medical or financial records;
• Know your parent's financial history. Learn where they bank, have their investments and what their spending habits are.

RESOURCE LINKS