What is Elder Abuse?
Need to Know
Issue No. 3: Words from the Wise
Words - Terri Fleming, APRN, FNP-BC, AAHIVS
Illustration - Stepfanie Aguilar + Hannah Candelaria
What is elder abuse?
Elder abuse refers to either an action or a lack of action within a trusted relationship, that results in the harm or distress of an older person. Financial exploitation and psychological abuse are the most common types of elder abuse, however, elder abuse can manifest in many different ways:
Physical abuse
Violence
Non-consensual sexual contact
Inappropriate use of medications
Psychological abuse refers to the words or actions that may cause stress or anxiety in the older person, such as:
Yelling at the person
Blaming them for their own condition
Financial abuse involves inappropriate use or embezzlement of their money or property.
Neglect or failing to care for the older adult, such as:
Ignoring their physical needs and demands
Failing to make sure they’re clean, fed, and safe.
How common is elder abuse?
Approximately 1 in 6 older adults experienced some form of abuse in community settings during the past year. Most statistics surrounding elder abuse are expected to be underestimations, as only 1 in 24 cases of elder abuse is reported.
Rates of elder abuse are high in institutions, such as nursing homes and long-term care facilities. The abuse is usually perpetrated by someone they know and trust, whether that be a caregiver at a facility, or the person’s own family or friend. As our population ages, it’s estimated that abuse may increase in the older adult population as it grows without adequate resources to care for aging people.
What are the best ways to report elder abuse?
Resources for reporting elder abuse include local Adult Protective Services, Long Term Care Ombudsman for suspected abuse within care facilities, and general Eldercare Locators that can provide more information on local agencies.
