By Trish Thorsen
You may have seen the No Excuse for Elder Abuse bumper stickers on cars in your area. June 15 is World Elder Abuse Awareness Day. Elder Abuse can happen to anyone and it can happen anywhere. The statistics are alarming. The National Center on Elder Abuse suggests that only 1 in 14 cases of abuse are actually reported to the authorities. Research also indicates that almost 90 percent of elder abuse is perpetrated by family members and elders who experience abuse, even modest abuse, had a 300 percent higher risk of death when compared to those who have not been abused.
What is elder abuse? The following types of abuse are the major categories of elder mistreatment:
• Physical abuse: Inflicting, or threatening to inflict, physical pain or injury on a vulnerable elder, or depriving them of a basic need.
• Emotional abuse: Inflicting mental pain, anguish, or distress on an elder person through verbal or nonverbal acts.
• Sexual abuse: Non-consensual sexual contact of any kind, or coercing an elder to witness sexual behaviors and/or acts.
• Financial exploitation: Illegal taking, misuse, or concealment of funds, property, or assets of a vulnerable elder.
• Neglect: Refusal or failure by those responsible to provide food, shelter, health care or protection for a vulnerable elder.
Community members can learn to recognize the signs of elder abuse. Red Flags to watch for:
• Sudden changes in the elder’s personality; increased or unreasonable levels of anxiety, fearfulness and/or depression.
• Sudden changes in the elder’s appearance: poor hygiene, dressed improperly for the weather, sunken eyes, unexplained weight loss.
• Sudden or swift decline in the health; malnourishment or sudden loss of weight.
• Visible injury that has not been cared for, or cannot be explained with a realistic explanation.
• A change in routine, no longer attending events or participating in events enjoyed in the past.
• Social isolation/ not allowed to visit alone. Sudden loss of ability to meet financial obligations.
• Going without things the elder needs or has always had in the past.
• The elder states that they have had conflicts or problems with their caregiver and/or they use coded disclosures.
Where to go for help:
Adult Protective Services is the state agency that provides and arranges for services to protect incapacitated or dependent adults in danger of abuse, neglect, self-neglect or exploitation. A “dependent adult” is a person who needs temporary or long-term help with basic tasks such as hygiene, meal preparation. An “incapacitated adult” is a person who lacks the ability to make or communicate responsible decisions.
Report concerns about elder abuse, neglect or exploitation to Adult Protective Services (APS) at 1-800-624-8404. If your suspicions are confirmed, APS will help get the senior to a safe place or set up the appropriate support services.
Maine is fortunate to have a group of dedicated individuals working together to prevent elder abuse. The Maine Council for Elder Abuse Prevention’s (MCEAP) mission is to support collaborative efforts to combat elder abuse, neglect and exploitation. MCEAP is comprised of over 40 organizations and individuals from across Maine. Please see MCEAP’s website at www.elderabuseprevention.info for more information about resources and agencies available to combat elder abuse.
In Franklin County, Preventing, Recognizing and Responding to Abuse in At-Risk Populations (PRRAP) is focused on local efforts to combat abuse.
On Thursday, June 18, from 10 am to 1 pm at the Wilton Public Safety Building, PRRAP is hosting a Senior Resource Fair that will include information on avoiding scams, protecting your assets and providing education on local resources available to seniors. The event is free to attend and open to anyone interested in learning more about local services for seniors. Lunch is provided and there will be raffle drawings. For more information, contact Kayce at 778-9522.
Trish Thorsen of the Maine long-term care ombudsman program, part of the Franklin County Domestic Violence Task Force. FCDVTF is a coalition of agencies and concerned citizens with a mission to lead and empower local people to end domestic violence. For more information about FCDVTF, please contact Kelley Glidden at (207) 795-6744 ext. 22 or email kglidden@safevoices.org.
