Elder Abuse

What is It? What to Do About It?

Elder abuse is any deliberate action or lack of action which causes harm to an elderly person. It can take many forms.

Physical Abuse

Physical abuse includes any kind of physical assault, such as slapping, pushing, kicking, punching, or injuring with an object or weapon. It also includes deliberate exposure to severe weather, inappropriate use of medication and unnecessary physical r estraint.

Sexual Abuse

Sexual abuse includes any forced sexual activity.

Psychological Abuse

Psychological abuse includes humiliation, isolation, intimidation, threats, and inappropriate control of activities. Removal of decision making power when the elderly person is still competent to make his/her own decision is also considered to be psych ological abuse.

Financial Abuse

Financial abuse includes the misuse of the elderly person's funds or property through fraud, trickery or force.

Neglect

Any elderly person may become the victim of abuse. Males and females of any income level, any cultural or ethnic group, persons in good health or persons incapacitated in some way may be abused by someone close to them.

There is no one simple answer to this question. Many factors seem to contribute to abuse and each case has its own unique mix of factors.

Abusive Style of Interaction

In some families, the members have a way of relating to each other that is generally hostile and non-nurturing. The adult children may have been abused by their parents, and having learned to interact in such a manner, carry it on into the next generat ion. Or there may be some unresolved family conflicts which foster abuse.

The family may have a history of wife abuse which carries on into old age. Or in some cases, the roles may become reversed if the former abusing partner becomes incapacitated and his wife seizes the opportunity to retaliate.

Dependency

In some cases, the elderly person becomes dependent to some degree on family members for assistance. Such dependency can tax the resources, both material and psychological, of family members and set the stage for abuse.

Conversely, some persons who abuse are in some way dependent on the persons they are abusing. The most common cases are those in which a son or daughter is dependent on an elderly parent for shelter and/or finances.

Stress

Stress caused by too many demands and too few resources can contribute to abuse.

Intoxication

Intoxication allows some people to be abusive by breaking down their inhibitions.

Lack of Knowledge

Ignorance about the aging process and the needs of elderly people sometimes results in harm to the psychological and/or physical well being of elders.

Societal Attitudes

Our society emphasizes competence, vigor, self reliance and physical beauty characterized by smooth skin and slim bodies. When these characteristics start to fade as people age, the value of the people themselves lessens in the eyes of many. Little res pect is given to persons who are seen as useless and unattractive. It is much easier to abuse people who are not respected.

Elderly people who are being abused find it very difficult to tell anyone. They are usually ashamed and sometimes afraid. If at all possible, though, they should tell someone they trust. NO ONE SHOULD HAVE TO LIVE WITH ABUSE.

In some cases, it may be impossible for the abused persons to tell anyone. They may be isolated or incapacitated. In such cases, friends, relatives or care-giving professionals need to be aware of the possibility of abuse.

Some signs to look for:

• Discrepancies between a person's standard of living and his/her financial assets, or a depletion of assets, without adequate explanation.
• Malnourishment and inadequate physical are.
• Physical injuries, such as bruises, burn marks, welts, rope burns, tufts of hair missing, broken bones, none of which can be adequately explained.
• Withdrawn, apathetic or fearful behaviour, particularly around certain persons.
• Medical needs not attended to.

If the abused person is in imminent danger, the police should be called. Assault is as much a crime within families as it is on the street.

If abuse is only suspected, further investigation should be conducted by appropriate persons. Professionals who might be consulted are doctors, social workers, community health or home care nurses, psychologists and lawyers. Investigation of abuse must be undertaken carefully so that the situation is not aggravated.

Part of the investigation could include talking wit the elderly person to determine the accuracy of the suspicions. If abuse is confirmed, it may be that he or she prefers to stay in the situation rather than choose any alternatives that seem available . Giving information and discussing all alternatives can be helpful. Unless the person who is being abused is unable to care for him or herself or make personal decisions because of some disability, he or she has the right to choose where and how to live. In other cases, the Public Guardian may be able to assist.

For Information and Support Services