16 Jul Protecting Our Elders: A Comprehensive Guide to Recognizing and Preventing Elder Abuse

I really wish I didn’t have to write this article, but here we are. Elder abuse is a widespread and often underreported issue that affects millions of older adults across the United States. As our population continues to age, it is crucial that we educate ourselves on the various forms of elder abuse and take proactive steps to prevent it. My goal is to provide a comprehensive overview of elder abuse, its different types, warning signs, and resources available for reporting and preventing it, with a specific focus on California.

Understanding Elder Abuse 

Elder abuse is defined as intentional or negligent acts by a caregiver or trusted individual that cause harm or create a serious risk of harm to an older adult. It can take various forms, including physical, emotional, sexual, financial, neglect, abandonment, and self-neglect. Elder abuse can occur in any setting, such as at home, in nursing homes, assisted living facilities, or other long-term care environments.

The 7 Types of Elder Abuse

1. Physical Abuse: Physical abuse involves the use of force that results in bodily injury, pain, or impairment. Examples include hitting, slapping, pushing, restraining, or any intentional physical harm.
2. Emotional or Psychological Abuse: This type of abuse involves inflicting emotional anguish, fear, or mental distress through verbal or nonverbal acts. Examples include intimidation, humiliation, threats, harassment, or isolating the older adult from family and friends.
3. Sexual Abuse: Sexual abuse involves any non-consensual sexual contact or behavior, including unwanted touching, rape, or forced nudity.
4. Financial Exploitation: Financial exploitation involves the illegal or improper use of an older adult’s resources for monetary or personal benefit. Examples include misusing power of attorney, stealing money or possessions, or coercing the older adult to sign over assets.
5. Neglect: Neglect is the failure to provide necessary care, such as food, water, shelter, clothing, hygiene, or medication, for an older adult who is unable to care for themselves.
6. Abandonment: Abandonment occurs when a caregiver or responsible party deserts an older adult, leaving them without necessary care or support.
7. Self-Neglect: Self-neglect is the failure to provide for one’s own essential needs, such as personal hygiene, nutrition, or medication management, which can put an older adult’s health or safety at risk.

Warning Signs of Elder Abuse 

Recognizing the warning signs of elder abuse is crucial for early intervention and prevention. These signs may include:

• Physical injuries (bruises, cuts, burns, broken bones)
• Unexplained weight loss or poor hygiene
• Withdrawal or depression – loss of interest in usual activities
• Fearfulness or anxiety around certain individuals
• Unexplained financial transactions or missing assets
• Bedsores or other signs of neglect
• Sudden changes in behavior or emotional state

Reporting and Preventing Elder Abuse in California 

If you suspect elder abuse in California, report it immediately to the appropriate authorities:

• Adult Protective Services (APS): Contact your local county APS office to report suspected abuse, neglect, or exploitation of an older adult or dependent adult. APS doesn’t always solve the problem, but it’s always beneficial to have a report on file. 
• Long-Term Care Ombudsman: Report suspected abuse in long-term care facilities, such as nursing homes or assisted living facilities, to your local Ombudsman program.
• Local Law Enforcement: In cases of immediate danger or criminal behavior, contact your local police or sheriff’s department.
• Elder Law Attorneys can be extremely helpful if you aren’t getting traction with the above entities. 

Additionally, California has several resources available for preventing and addressing elder abuse:

• California Department of Aging: Provides information and resources on elder abuse prevention and reporting.
• California Elder Justice Coalition: A collaborative effort aimed at preventing and addressing elder abuse through education, advocacy, and policy initiatives.
• Legal Services for the Elderly: Offers free legal assistance and representation for older Californians facing abuse or exploitation.
• California Victim Compensation Board: Provides financial assistance to victims of crime, including elder abuse victims.

Elder abuse is a serious issue that requires collective action from individuals, communities, and institutions. By educating ourselves on the different types of abuse, recognizing the warning signs, and utilizing available resources, we can work toward protecting our elders and ensuring their safety, dignity, and well-being. It is our responsibility to create a society where older adults can age with respect and without fear of abuse or exploitation. Please give us a call if you or someone you love is struggling with this!

Information is provided for informational purposes only and should not be relied upon in any manner as professional advice, or an endorsement of any practices, products, or services. There can be no guarantees or assurances that the views expressed here will be applicable for any particular facts or circumstances and should not be relied upon in any manner. You should consult your own advisers as to legal, business, tax, and other related matters concerning any investment.

The commentary in this post (including any related blog, podcasts, videos, and social media) reflects the personal opinions, viewpoints, and analyses of Angela Wright, an Investment Adviser Representative of Gemmer Asset Management LLC (“GAM”) and should not be regarded as the views of GAM, or a description of advisory services provided by GAM or performance returns of any GAM client.  References to securities or market-related performance data are for illustrative purposes only and do not constitute an investment recommendation or offer to provide investment advisory services. Charts and graphs provided within are for informational purposes solely and should not be relied upon when making any investment decision. Past performance is not indicative of future results. The content speaks only as of the date indicated. Any projections, estimates, forecasts, targets, prospects, and/or opinions expressed in these materials are subject to change without notice and may differ or be contrary to opinions expressed by others.