Elder Abuse Awareness

A Heartbreaking & Often Hidden Issue

Hey Y'all! 

Let's talk about the silent but real crisis of elder abuse.

Nowadays, many older adults are choosing to age in place by staying in their own homes instead of moving to care facilities. Yes, this allows them to remain comfortable and independent, however, at some point caregivers are needed to help with tasks that become too challenging for the older adult to do alone. 

Finding safe and reliable home care can be difficult and unfortunately, can sometimes lead to elder abuse. 

The Growing Need for Awareness

According to the National Council on Aging, elder abuse can take many forms, including:

• Physical abuse – Hitting, slapping, pushing, or any physical harm.

• Emotional abuse – Threats, humiliation, or verbal attacks.

• Financial exploitation – Theft, fraud, or improper use of an older person’s money or assets.

• Neglect – Failing to provide basic needs such as food, shelter, or medical care.

• Sexual abuse – Any unwanted or forced sexual contact.

The Silent Struggles of Caregiving

Caregiving is noble and rewarding but can also be emotionally, physically, and financially exhausting. Two-thirds of caregivers in the U.S. are women, and many of them sacrifice their own wellbeing to care for loved ones. Many quit their jobs and/or ignore their own health needs to focus on caregiving. 

The stress load can be quite overwhelming and can lead to additional issues like weight loss/gain, sleep disturbances, problems with work or family, and depression/anxiety. 

Burnout is inevitable, especially if there's minimal support from others. Sadly, overwhelmed caregivers may unintentionally cross over into abusive behavior. 

Caregiving is tough, even for those with the best of intentions.

What Does Elder Abuse Look Like?

Behind closed doors it can be hard to spot, nevertheless, here's some warning signs:

• Unexplained injuries like bruises, burns, or fractures

• Sudden weight loss or poor hygiene

• Withdrawal from social activities or fearfulness

• Unpaid bills or missing items or financial assets

• Tension between the older adult and their caregiver

When Caregiving Becomes Too Much

Here's Adam’s personal story:

Adam has been caring for his wife for nearly a decade as she struggles with cognitive decline. She no longer recognizes him, leaving him feeling alone and frustrated. He sometimes raises his voice at her, knowing it won’t change anything. Though he loves his wife deeply, the stress of caregiving has pushed him to the breaking point.

Adam isn't intentionally abusing his wife. In his case and many others' it often happens when caregivers feel overwhelmed, unsupported, and absolutely exhausted. 

Before we proceed too much further, consider that many states have specific laws protecting vulnerable adults. In Minnesota, elder abuse is defined as:

• Physical abuse – Any intentional action that causes pain, injury, or emotional distress.

• Financial exploitation – Unauthorized use of an elderly person’s money or assets.

• Neglect – Failure to provide food, shelter, medical care, or supervision.

Federal agencies, such as the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), also categorize abuse into three main types:

1. Domestic Abuse – When abuse occurs at home by a spouse, child, or caregiver.

2. Institutional Abuse – When abuse happens in a nursing home or care facility.

3. Self-Neglect – When an elderly person fails to meet their own basic needs.

Adam, and all caregivers need better resources, education on burnout and elder abuse, and caregiver support well before they've crossed the threshold into abusive behavior.

Elder Abuse in Care Facilities

While most caregivers are well-trained, responsible, and take their jobs seriously, abuse can and does occur in professional settings like nursing homes and assisted living centers.

For example, Jana placed her mom, Betty, in an assisted living facility. Twice, Betty was found on the floor after falling out of bed because the side rails weren’t raised. Though Jana eventually moved her mom to a safer facility, the caregivers' neglect caused physical damages to Betty that could not be undone.

Why Elder Abuse Happens  And How to Stop It

According to experts, elder abuse often stems from a power imbalance. The caregivers hold control over a vulnerable person’s wellbeing, and sometimes this power is intentionally or unintentionally misused.

To prevent abuse, we must:

• Recognize the warning signs and check in on older loved ones regularly.

• Support caregivers by offering them breaks, resources, and emotional encouragement.

• Immediately report any concerns to nursing supervisors, adult protective services, or law enforcement.

• Educate ourselves and others about the realities of elder abuse.

The Harsh Reality of Elder Abuse

Sadly, elder abuse is more common than you think, Y'all. 

A landmark study in 1996 estimated that 450,000 older adults were abused or neglected in domestic settings that year alone. When self-neglect cases were included, the number rose to 551,000.

Some key findings:

• Around 10% of Americans 60 and older living at home will experience abuse, neglect, or exploitation. Adults over 80 are at two to three times greater risk.

• Those lonely and socially isolated or living with poor physical/mental health or disability are high risk.

• In nursing homes or other care communities, nearly 16% of residents report being abused.

• In 2023, U.S. nursing homes received 94,499 health citations, according to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.
• 8.1% of the citations (7,654) had to do with the abuse, neglect, or exploitation of nursing home residents.

• In 2023, U.S. nursing homes were fined $153 million for health violations of all kinds. This equated to about $10,000 per facility.

• In nursing homes and other care facilities, physical abuse was the most common form of abuse, followed by neglect and psychological abuse.

• Older people with dementia are especially vulnerable; as many as 1 in 2 people with dementia experience abuse.

• Women are abused at higher rates than men. Nonwhite women of low socioeconomic status living with cognitive impairments are the most at risk.

• In nearly 90% of cases, the abuser is a family member, often an adult child or spouse.

As you may now see, elder abuse is a crisis that needs serious attention. While there are some notorious cases that elicit media spotlights, many stories still go unnoticed and unreported, especially when the  abuse happens at home.

Additionally, the reasons for reluctance to report a known perpetrator can be complicated. For example, the elder victim could lose some independence if the abuser is someone who helps them get around and socialize. Seniors may also be hesitant to cause family rifts and hurt people they love, even if these people abuse them. 

Shame and embarrassment can also cause a senior to stay quiet.

So, What Can We Do?

If you suspect elder abuse, don’t stay silent. Reach out to local adult protective services, law enforcement, or elder advocacy groups for help. There are legal consequences with penalties varying by state. By raising awareness, offering caregiver support, and reporting suspected abuse, we can help protect our older adults and ensure they live with dignity, safety, and respect!

More Resources:

• The National Council on Child Abuse and Family Violence website lists contact information for organizations in each state.

• The Eldercare Locator helpline at 1-800-677-1116. Operators can assist you with finding agencies in your area. This number is available from Monday through Friday 9 AM-8 PM (except U.S. federal holidays).

• If financial abuse or fraud has taken place, you can contact the National Elder Fraud Hotline at 1-833-FRAUD-11 (833-372-8311). The hotline is available 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. Eastern Time from Monday-Friday.

EM

REFERENCES:

National Center on Elder Abuse (NCEA): https://ncea.acl.gov

National Council on Aging: https://www.ncoa.org

Eldercare Locator: https://eldercare.acl.gov

https://www.seniorliving.org/research/elder-abuse-statistics/

Elder Abuse Is Easy to Miss | Next Avenue

Sec. 626.5572 MN Statutes

Tenere Home Care Services, LLC.