June 15 is World Elder Abuse Awareness Day

Marcy Kubbs, Aging and Disability Services

Celebrate the 1st Annual World Elder Abuse Awareness Day.  Show the world you care about ending elder abuse and neglect by wearing something purple on June 15th.  If you don't take a stand, who will?

Abuse and Neglect of Older and Vulnerable Adults

Ever wonder why your elderly neighbor suddenly stopped walking his dog, or who those strangers are that started to come and go from his home?  Ever consider calling Adult Protective Services to have them investigate?

Who are the abused and neglected?

They are adults 60-65 years of age and older, and vulnerable adults who are over 18 years of age who need assistance with personal care due to a physical, sensory, mental, or other disability.   

How big is the problem?

The problem is widespread and serious.  It has been estimated that there are 32 cases of abuse for every 1,000 older persons in our country. Considering that in 2000, King County had 181,885 adults 65 and older living in their home, it is fair to estimate that 5,820 of them were abused or neglected. 

The problem is even larger in institutions where, on an average day in our country, nearly two million individuals reside. In a 2000 study conducted by the Atlanta Long-Term Care Ombudsman, 95 percent of residents interviewed reported either experiencing neglect, or witnessing the neglect of other residents. Of Certified Nursing Assistants interviewed, thirty-seven percent reported neglect of residents. 

What about people with Developmental Disabilities?

We know that people with developmental disabilities are more likely to:

• Experience more severe abuse, and abuse of longer duration
• Be victims of multiple episodes of abuse, with a larger number of perpetrators

In addition, 80-90 percent of women and 54 percent of men with developmental disabilities will experience a sexual assault at some time in their life.

How are people mistreated?

Mistreatment falls into the following categories:

• Neglect such as failure to provide food, water, clothing, or proper hygiene
• Physical abuse such as pushing, slapping, beating, or improper positioning in bed
• Emotional (psychological) abuse isolating the individual from friends, family, activities, or verbally abusing, intimidating or threatening them, for instance, with placement in a nursing home
• Sexual abuse inappropriate touching, coerced nudity, or rape
• Financial or material exploitation stealing money, coercing them into signing contracts or making changes in their will
• Violation of personal rights denying the right to privacy, making decisions regarding health care or placement in nursing home

Who is likely to abuse or neglect older adults?

Perpetrators are likely to be adult children who are dependent on the older adult for finances or housing. They tend to be deviant, with a history of violence or anti-social behavior. Older adults also suffer at the hands of partners, particularly when there is a history of domestic violence.

What should you do?

If someone is in immediate danger, call 911, otherwise call 1-866-End Harm.  Adult Protective Services can request that police conduct a "Welfare Call" to check up on someone you may be concerned about. Remember...if you don't make the call, then who will? 

For More Information....

The World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse (IPNEA) launched the World Elder Abuse Awareness campaign to call attention to the cultural, social, economic, and demographic processes affecting elder abuse and neglect.

To learn more about the World Elder Abuse Awareness campaign and to access additional resources to aid in spreading the awareness of elder abuse, please visit www.INPEA.net. WHO has prepared a fact sheet about elder abuse.

See "Links You Can Use" for more resources and information about preventing and reporting elder abuse.