For all the attention paid to the very serious problems of abuse of children, spouses and animals, another group, the elderly, are increasingly being mistreated and abused,
Not only are there more Americans over 60 now than ever before, but it appears that elder abuse cases are rising at a faster rate for that age group. It is a looming problem all over the United States.
The National Center on Elder Abuse, a congressionally funded clearinghouse, says adult protective service agencies nationwide tallied 253,421 reports of elder abuse of adults 60 and older in 2006. That amounts to 832 cases per 100,000 in that age group. That may seem like a small number to some, but research has shown that as much as 84 percent of elderly abuse and neglect goes unreported to authorities. That research has led the Senate Special Committee on Aging to estimate that as many as 5 million older Americans in fact may be victimized every year.
The most recent numbers in California alone are cause for concern. The state Department of Social Services and Ombudsman received more than 30,000 reports of adult abuse or neglect in 2008, according to California elder law and abuse attorney Steven Peck who may be contacted toll free at 1-866-999-9085.Furthermore, the number of people requesting help in has risen almost 40 percent in six years.
What constitutes elder abuse against older people? It can run the gamut, from denying ailing elderly people food, medicine or help with hygiene to ignoring people with Alzheimer's or dementia who may get disoriented and wander from their home. It even extends to physical abuse or murder. Sadly, the perpetrators are most often their own children or, ironically, their caregivers.
The motivations for such mistreatment are often similar to those in child and spouse abuse -- the family member or caregiver takes out their personal problems on the most vulnerable around them, with whom they share a complex love-hate relationship. But with elderly victims, there often is an additional alarming factor: financial exploitation. Americans who have built up life savings only to become unable to handle their own affairs may be at the mercy of greedy relatives or caregivers.
When you consider the stresses that the recession has placed on people of all ages and income levels, there is reason to worry that elder abuse cases will jump in 2009, 2010 and 2011 and into the future.
Congress has added funding to adult protective services agencies in recent years to help combat the problem, but it may not be enough -- and it will help only if elder abuse is reported.
It also is vital that the authorities who receive reports are trained to address the problem. State and local caseworkers can identify a clear case of elder abuse, but a sheriff's deputy or police officer may not. It is here that adult protective services and elderly advocates could better partner with law enforcement, often the first responder in cases of severe abuse.
For its part, California has formed partnerships with advocacy groups to educate the public -- none too soon. The adage "strength in numbers'' does not apply when it comes to the elderly, many of whom must rely upon younger people in their later years.
Contact attorney Steven Peck to talk to an experienced elder law lawyer toll free at 1.866.999.9085 or on the web at www.premierlegal.org
