June 15, 2015

CLA helps shed light on elder abuse

As I See It: Shed light on elder abuse

By Dianne Sandman

Posted Jun. 15, 2015 at 6:43 AM in the Worcester Telegram and Gazette.

Today, June 15, 2015 is World Elder Abuse Awareness Day and, as representatives of the Worcester County Elder Abuse Prevention Roundtable, we would like to shed some light on the dark issue of elder abuse. The Worcester County Elder Abuse Prevention Roundtable is a coalition of law enforcement, elder services, legal services, domestic violence and community agencies committed to addressing the root causes of abuse against elders through coordinated prevention, education, and advocacy efforts.

Our most common image of elder abuse might be those situations that make headlines such as a senior being swindled out of his or her money or abuse of an elderly resident in a nursing home, but most often the alleged abuser is an adult child, grandchild, spouse or intimate partner, or other family member or caregiver. Abuse can range from physical, emotional or sexual, to neglect by a caregiver or financial exploitation by a family member or stranger. Currently self-neglect, common with elders as their cognitive abilities decline, is the reason for the highest number of reports to elder protective agencies. Most of these victims reside in our communities—they may be your neighbor, someone who attends your church or the person standing in line in front of you at the grocery store.

Reports of elder abuser are rising, and that trend is expected to continue with increased longevity and the arrival of senior baby boomers. In FY2005 there were approximately 12,000 reports of elder abuse in Massachusetts, according to the Massachusetts Executive Office of Elder Affairs—in FY2014 that number was just under 25,000! Yet, elder abuse is still very underreported as elders are reluctant to report abuse for a variety of reasons including fear of “causing trouble” for the abuser, dependence on the abuser or sometimes diminished capacity that makes them unable to report. They may also blame themselves for the abuse or fear being sent to an institution. Elder abuse in domestic situations may also be part of a long-standing pattern or the result of new stresses including retirement, financial pressure or caregiving. Long –term partners might become abusive as the result of dementia.

Whatever the causes of abuse, a senior might not feel safe “telling” anyone about the abuse, let alone telling a stranger or an agency. That’s where we can all lend a helping hand. If it takes a village to raise a child, it also takes a community effort to look out for the seniors around us. If you have reason to believe that a senior is the victim of abuse or neglect or unable to safely care for him or herself, please call the Massachusetts Elder Abuse Hotline at 1-800-922-2275, 7 Days a week/24 Hours a day, to make a confidential report. If you think the elder is in imminent danger, please call 911 immediately.

Elder Abuse Awareness Day is a great time to familiarize yourself with the signs of elder abuse, learn about the services available to elders and to share this information with elders. Most of all, Elder Abuse Awareness Day is a great time to reflect on how we can all offer friendship and support to the seniors in our area. The elders in our communities have spent their lives being productive citizens, helping to make these communities the wonderful places they are today.

They deserve to spend their golden years in safety with dignity and respect.

For more information about the signs of elder abuse, please go to the National Center on Elder Abuse at http://www.ncea.aoa.gov/Stop_Abuse/Get_Help/index.aspx.

Dianne Sandman is Senior Paralegal for Community Legal Aid writing on behalf of the Worcester County Elder Abuse Prevention Roundtable.