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Sandwich Generation

Elder Abuse Most crimes are committed by a family member or friend. By Sandy BennettPublished: August, 2004

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From large, oozing bedsores to exceedingly unsanitary living conditions, the images are both horrific and startling ­ not ones you would expect to find in one of the richest areas in America where numerous services and resources are available. Yet despite its programs and wealth, Orange County’s elder population is not immune to the graphic portrayals of elder abuse as seen in a pamphlet from Adult Protective Services. If fact, the occurrence of such incidences is rising. According to statistics from the Social Services Agency, the number of abuse reports received increased 33% percent from 1999 through 2002, jumping from 3,967 reports to 5,273 reports during the period. The most common type of abuse reported is self-neglect, or the failure to provide for one’s own care. Individuals who are abused by others are most likely to have been neglected or financially abused. “The best reports we have...lead us to believe that as many as 1-in-10 or 1-in-12 older adults are victims of abuse, but 84% is never reported,” says Wendy Aquin, program manager for Adult Protective Services. “The clients we see run the gamut. They’re every age within the senior range. Some of them are incredibly well educated. Some of them have no education. There’s people with no money and people with millions of dollars, from every part of the county.” Most disturbing is that someone that the elder adult cares about and trusts commits the majority of these crimes. One elderly woman, for example, gave her ATM card to her neighbor to use to pay for the groceries she needed. When the neighbor realized the woman wasn’t keeping track of these transactions, she began making regular withdrawals of cash for herself. An elder man was verbally and physically abused by his granddaughter’s boyfriend. The 2 moved into his home after the death of the man’s wife. “With the increased incidents we see in financial abuse, people think automatically of telemarketing scams. They think of contractor fraud. They think of identity theft. And these are all real issues for seniors who are definitely targeted for these types of crimes,” says Aquin. “But the sad reality is that a senior is far more likely to be taken advantage of by a family member, friend or a neighbor.” While there has been some improvement in awareness of elder abuse, says Aquin, it lags significantly behind the recognition level of child and domestic abuse. Among the many signs to watch for are bruises and fractures, sudden changes in bank account/banking practices, bedsores, malnutrition, mental limitation and/or incompetence. Families should also take note of a “new best friend” who is willing to do anything for the elder or a removed family member who suddenly reappears and wants to help. Any concerns or suspicions involving a private home setting should be reported to Adult Protective Services by calling its 24-hour line at 800.451.5155. The name of the reporting party is kept confidential and is not disclosed to the victim, their family or the alleged abuser. If self-neglect is determined, the agency can also connect individuals with local resources to help the elderly adult stay in the home as long as possible. For emergency situations, call 911. If the senior lives in a licensed care facility, like a nursing home or board and care facility, call the Long-Term Care Ombudsman Service (714.479.0107) to report concerns or suspicions. If your loved one lives outside of the area, call the Eldercare Locator (800.677.1116) to find the nearest Adult Protective Agency. Sandy Bennett is associate editor for OC Family Magazine. ABUSE-OCCURRENCE RATES Self-neglect 43% Neglect by others 23% Financial 21% Mental Suffering 21% Physical 14% Sexual 3% Isolation 3% Abduction/Abandonment 1% each Totals more than 100%, as many victims are victims of more than 1 type of abuse. - Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2000 data TELLTALE SIGNS ** Bruises and welts ** Fracture or sprains ** No reasonable explanation for observed trauma ** Sudden changes in bank account/banking practices ** Inclusion of additional names on bank accounts ** Unauthorized withdrawals ** Recently drawn/frequently changed will ** Elder can afford better care than what is provided ** Bedsores ** Untreated physical/mental problems ** Poor hygiene ** Hunger, malnutrition dehydration ** Unsanitary conditions in the home ** Inability to care for self due to incompetence, mental limitation, poor health, etc.

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