Everyday we hear horrifying stories of children being abused and exploited. What we don’t hear about is the 2.5 million seniors who are neglected, abused and exploited each year in the United States according to the National Center on Elder Abuse. Abuse can take on many forms: neglect, threats, isolation, physical and emotional abuse, sexual abuse and financial exploitation. Vermont’s Adult Protective Services (APS) see these types of situations affecting Vermont seniors everyday. In 2007, APS received nearly 3000 calls reporting abuse or suspected abuse and exploitation of Vermont seniors. According to the Adult Protective Services Annual Report there were 849 investigations into suspected elderly neglect and abuse including self-neglect.
As people get older and their health declines many seniors rely on caregivers and family and health care professionals to help take care of them or provide services to enable them to live independently. However, the people seniors entrust to take care of them sometimes become their tormenters. In Vermont alone there are 902 people listed on the Adult Abuse Registry. Many seniors are vulnerable.
Some seniors have declining health that requires some assistance to take care of their needs, some can no longer drive so they can become isolated, and other are afraid to report abuse because they fear retaliation or worry about where they will live if they report a caregiver or family member for abuse. According to the National Center on Elder Abuse over 90% of seniors who are abused know their abuser. Many seniors do not know how to get out of unhealthy situations.
Abuse and neglect can come in many forms. Caregivers who withhold basic necessities like food, heat, medical appointments are committing neglect. Threatening seniors, keeping them isolated and emotionally abusing them by putting them down or moving needed items like canes out of their reach is a crime. Though neglect is the most common form of abuse there is physical and sexual abuse of seniors and financial exploitation. Many seniors are targeted by telemarketers and family members to use up their life savings. Many seniors are dependent on caregivers and so are often scared to report abuse. Many seniors worry if they report abuse they will have no where to go except a nursing home.
There are systems in place to investigate elder abuse, to help seniors live in safety, to provide case management to work them through the process. But in addition there are mental health services that enable seniors to work through their fear and for them to be able to trust others after going through a traumatic incident. Many seniors are embarrassed to admit that they are being abused or that a loved one may be committing the abuse and they worry about getting them into trouble.
Seniors deserve to be treated with respect. Abuse is abuse whether it is committed by a stranger or a loved one or whether the victim is a child or a senior. If a senior thinks they are being abused or neglected they should call APS reporting and complaint toll free number 1-800-564-1612 or if anyone suspects that a senior is being neglected or abused they should call.
There are warning signs that people should look for that could indicate a senior is being mistreated. If a senior you know seems depressed, withdrawn or isolated and never seems to accept invitations to spend time away from their family or caregiver or if they seem afraid to make their own decisions or seems to be hiding something about the caregiver these are all red flags. If you know a senior who seems to have too many household accidents and puts off going to the doctor you should start asking questions.
Abuse is not a family issue, abuse is a crime.
Additional Information:
Division of Licensing and Protection’s Reporting and Complaint Helpline
1-800-564-1612
Sarah Lemnah writes on senior issues for the Champlain Valley Agency on Aging. This article originally appeared in the Burlington Free Press.
