Resources to help in mistreatment of elderly people highlighted in June

Diana Spore
·4 min read

June is Elder Abuse Awareness Month, and June 15 is World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD). Throughout the month, attention is devoted to promoting awareness of the facts about elder mistreatment, and addressing strategies for elder abuse prevention.

June also is Elder Empowerment Month (EEM) in Ashland County, under the auspices of the Older Adult Behavioral Health Coalition of Ashland County.

  • Approximately 10% of community-dwelling adults aged 60 and older in the United States are abused each year (CDC, NCEA, NCOA). One in two older adults who live with cognitive impairment, such as dementia, are abused (NCEA).

  • Types of elder mistreatment include sexual abuse, physical abuse, psychological/emotional abuse, financial abuse or exploitation, and neglect.

Risk Factors (NCEA, CDC, NCOA)

  • For being abused – dementia or cognitive impairment, social isolation, chronic health problems, dependence, inadequate social support, conflictual relationship with perpetrator

  • For being a perpetrator – mental health diagnosis, prior or current drug abuse, high stress, prior family conflict, dependence on the elder who is being victimized.

Preventive Factors 

  • Keys to prevention are reducing social isolation among vulnerable older adults, offering support services, providing in-home medical care when needed (NCEA).

It is critical to address elder empowerment, including engaging in self-care, learning about community services, remaining engaged and having strong social supports, learning about legal options, knowing their rights.  Perpetrators are more likely to be family members, therefore, it is important to offer opportunities for peer support, learning how to reduce stress and develop coping skills.

Indicators of elder abuse (NCEA, NCOA)

  • Behavioral/emotional signs include social isolation, withdrawal, increased anxiety, unusual changes in sleep/behavioral patterns.

  • Physical signs include unexplained bruises and injuries; unusual weight loss, dehydration, unmet medical needs, poor hygiene, unsanitary surroundings.

  • Financial signs include odd financial transactions, unpaid bills.

Who to reach out to for help

  • Adult protective services – Department of Job and Family Services of Ashland County

  • Area Agency on Aging District 5 or Safe Haven of Ashland County

  • In an emergency, call 911, or contact the police department or sheriff’s department.

  • Visit www.eldercare.acl.gov.

Events related to elder mistreatment and WEAAD

  • Tuesday, June 11 – NCEA WEAAD Webinar – Decision-Making in Later Life: Navigating Risk and Optimizing Safety, 1-2:15 p.m.. Register at the website for USC Center for Elder Justice, WEAAD events.

  • Wednesday, June 12 – Elder Justice Coordinating Council meeting – addresses past accomplishments and future plans, 10 a.m.-noon. Register at the website for USC Center for Elder Justice, WEAAD events.

Locally, one key webinar that draws attention to elder mistreatment and WEAAD is Healthy Boundaries in Later Life, presented by Laura Brewer, Safe Haven. The video link is provided on the EEM calendar, targeted for viewing on Tuesday, June 4. The calendar can be downloaded at https://www.ashlandmhrb.org/event/2024-elder-empowerment-month-calendar/. Other presentations may interest you; notably, elder abuse prevention is linked with senior empowerment.

Diana Spore
Diana Spore

Have all ages promote elder justice

NCEA has promoted a “finish the sentence for WEAAD” exercise for all age groups to engage in. The objective is to encourage everyone to think about elder abuse and what can be done to advocate for older people’s rights.  Complete the sentence: “Everyone at every age can stand up to elder abuse by…” Share responses on social media platforms and during conversations and events.

Everyone in a community should be aware of and informed about elder abuse and elder justice.  For prevention/intervention efforts to have an impact, community commitment is vital.

“We care deeply about the well-being of our community’s older adults, and we realize that they are not always able to defend themselves against those who unfortunately try to take advantage of them,” said Mayor Matt Miller. “This is why our friends at the Ashland County Council on Aging and the Ashland County Senior Citizen Center, as well as our Ashland County Sheriff’s Department, work so hard to make sure that our seniors know what resources are available to help protect them against abuse and neglect, and to make sure that they are aware of any known scams that are out there.”

Cornerstones to preventing elder abuse are:

  • Education

  • Respect

  • Social support for older adults who at risk of being abused or who have been abused

  • Efforts to prevent or minimize isolation among older adults, while respecting that they have the right to decide how engaged they wish to be and with whom

  • Anti-ageism

  • Having community organizations collaborate rather than act as silos.  Older adults must be “at the table” to chart a direction for effective elder abuse prevention. 

In closing, remember to wear purple on WEAAD, Saturday, June 15.

Diana Spore, PhD, MGS, is a freelance writer, social gerontologist, mental health advocate, and older adult, who resides in Ashland, Ohio.

This article originally appeared on The Daily Record: Resources in Ashland area to assist in elder abuse situations