Elder Justice Center at Eliza Bryant Village

WHAT IS ELDER ABUSE?

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, elder abuse is an intentional act or failure to act by a caregiver or another person in a relationship involving an expectation of trust that causes or creates a risk of harm to an older adult.

Physical: Use of force causing pain or injury; inappropriate use of medications or physical restraints.

Sexual: Non-consensual sexual contact.

Psychological: Mistreatment that affects emotional or mental health, intimidation, threats, harassment, humiliation, isolation, or belittlement.

Neglect: Deprivation of food, clothing, shelter, medicine, or personal hygiene. Self-neglect involves seniors or adults with disabilities who fail to meet their own essential physical, psychological or social needs, which threatens their health, safety, and well-being.

Financial Exploitation: Misuse of money, property, or resources.

The National Center on Elder Abuse reports that one in ten seniors are victims of elder abuse. This is likely to be an underestimation, as only 1 in 24 cases of elder abuse is reported, in part because older people are often afraid to report cases of abuse to family, friends, or to the authorities. 1 in 5 older people has experienced elder abuse during the pandemic, a jump of nearly 84% over pre-pandemic estimates (American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, November 2021).

Who are the abusers?

• Abusers can be men or women
• Approximately 2/3 of abusers are family members.
• Abusers can be caregivers in any setting.
• Many times, abusers have a history of alcohol, drug, or other abuse, or they may suffer from mental illness.
• Abusers exert excessive control over their victims.

The abused have a 300% higher risk of death, as a consequence of abuse. Other consequences include isolation, intimidation, mental anguish, physical pain, and financial ruin.