Elder abuse can lead to
physical injuries
– ranging from minor scratches and bruises to broken bones and disabling injuries – and serious, sometimes long-lasting, psychological consequences, including depression and anxiety. For older people, the consequences of abuse can be especially serious and convalescence longer.
Elder abuse also is a critical public health issue. Survivors report higher rates of depression. They often withdraw from social interactions, and many blame themselves, which results in shame and silence and magnifies these effects. …
Elder abuse intersects other public health concerns
as well.
Elder abuse is often used as a general term that includes
physical, sexual, and psychological abuse; neglect
; and financial exploitation. Elder abuse harms millions of older people each year. Victims may face increased risk of death, physical or emotional injury, and financial ruin.
What are the risk factors and consequences of elder abuse?
- Depression in the caregiver.
- Lack of support from other potential caregivers.
- The caregiver’s perception that taking care of the elder is burdensome and without emotional reward.
- Substance abuse by the caregiver.
- The intensity of the elderly person’s illness or dementia.
How big of a problem is elder abuse?
Elder abuse is a silent problem that robs seniors of their dignity, security, and—in some cases—costs them their lives.
Up to five million older Americans are abused every year
, and the annual loss by victims of financial abuse is estimated to be at least $36.5 billion.
What is the most common form of elder abuse?
According to the National Council on Aging (NCOA), elders are more likely to self-report financial exploitation than emotional, physical, and sexual abuse or
neglect
. According to the NCEA, neglect is the most common type of elder abuse.
What are the 7 types of elder abuse?
The National Center on Elder Abuse distinguishes between seven different types of elder abuse. These include
physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional abuse, financial/material exploitation, neglect, abandonment, and self-neglect
. Physical abuse.
How does elderly abuse affect the community?
Older people who have been abused have
a 300% higher risk of death
when compared to those who have not been mistreated, as well as higher rates of hospitalization. … Elder abuse has harmful impacts at all levels of society, affecting public health, resources, and civic engagement.
Why is elder abuse an issue?
Consequences. Elder abuse has a range of physical, psychological and financial consequences. It can
result in pain, injury and even death
, and is associated with higher levels of stress and depression and an increased risk of nursing home placement and hospitalisation (WHO, 2015).
Elder abuse is
a health and social justice issue
that takes the form of physical abuse, neglect or economic exploitation. … To this day, elder abuse is the only form of family violence for which the federal government provides virtually no resources.
What are four factors that are thought to contribute to elder abuse?
Individual Level Factors (trusted other): mental illness,
hostility
, alcohol abuse, experience of violence or aggression in childhood. Relationship Type: Shared living arrangement, relationship to victim (spouse or child). Power and Exchange Dynamics. Abuser dependency, victim dependency/ caregiver stress.
What is passive neglect?
Passive neglect occurs
when a parent/caregiver unintentionally fails to meet the elderly person/child’s needs
, often due to the parent/caregiver’s burdens or lack of knowledge of how to appropriately provide care.
What is the greatest risk factor for suffering abuse?
- Poor or inadequate preparation or training for caregiving responsibilities.
- Young age.
- Inadequate coping skills.
- History of abuse as a child.
- High financial and emotional dependence upon the elder.
- Past disruptive behavior.
- Lack of social support.
- Lack of formal support (e.g., institutional or educational support)
What constitutes elder financial abuse?
Elder financial abuse in particular is
the illegal or improper use of an older person’s property, finances and other assets
without their informed consent or where consent is obtained it is by fraud, manipulation or duress.
Where does elder abuse happen the most?
Elder abuse most often takes place in
the home where the senior lives
. It can also happen in institutional settings, especially long-term care facilities. It is estimated that more than 1 in 10 older adults experience some form of abuse.
What are the warning signs of elder abuse?
- Injuries such as bruises, cuts, or broken bones.
- Malnourishment or weight loss.
- Poor hygiene.
- Symptoms of anxiety, depression, or confusion.
- Unexplained transactions or loss of money.
- Withdrawal from family members or friends.
