Here is a summary from attorney Brown's presentation on elder abuse and how to identify it.
Physical Abuse
Physical abuse is the use of "physical force which may result in bodily injury, physical pain or impairment," according to Brown. "Physical abuse may include such acts as striking, hitting, beating, pushing, shoving, shaking, slapping, kicking, pinching and burning," actions which may be done to the victim as the perpetrator assumes, even wrongfully, that he or she has receded to a seriously lower level of competence or mental ability.
Suspect physical abuse if you see signs of bruising (which can be caused by belts, buckles or electrical cords) burns, abrasions or fractures. Any signs of injury out of the ordinary should be questioned.
Sexual Abuse
Yes, this happens to older adults. Watch for genital or anal infection, difficulty in walking or sitting, or bilateral bruising of inner thighs.
Psychological Abuse
This is a tough consideration because the victim symptoms may be caused by other physical, mental, medical or aging problems. Watch others in the caregiving process. Is there someone who threatens Mom or Dad, speaks poorly of the parent, or ignores the mature adult or his or her needs?
Financial Abuse
"Financial abuse is the illegal or improper use of an elder's assets," according to Brown. "This may include cashing the elder's social security or pension checks without permission, taking money or property from the elder, coercing or deceiving the elder into parting with property or signing documents, and diverting guardianship or conservatorship assets." If you have someone in your family caregiving team who wants financial control, while personally being financially stressed, this is a distinct possibility.
Currently, financial abuse constitutes 12 percent of the abuse against the elderly in the United States, according to Brown.
Identify possible financial abuse if bank statements are no longer coming to the parent's home, the part-time (or even full-time) caregiver has no other means of financial support, there are missing assets or property or, importantly, if the caregiver appears to have a drug or alcohol habit.
Recently, an adult child caregiver for her parent in Seattle was charged by prosecutors in Seattle for stealing and stripping her parent's financial estate of $400,000. The request for investigation was lodged by the caregiver's sister as an important step in protecting her mother.
Neglect
"Neglect is the failure of a person in charge of the care of an elder to adequately perform his or her obligations," Brown says. "This may include failure to provide medicines, hygiene, food or personal safety."
This may occur when the caregiver unintentionally fails to provide adequate care; or it may happen when the caregiver lacks the knowledge about how to provide the care or when he or she is unable to cope with the stresses of caregiving.
To spot neglect, look for neglected bedsores, skin disorders or rashes, untreated injuries or medical problems, poor hygiene, hunger, malnutrition or dehydration, pallor or sunken cheeks or eyes, or lack of clean clothing or bedding.
If you feel your parent may be a victim of some form of abuse, call 911, or the local/regional Area Agency on Aging, the police, the district attorney's office, or other state organizations, such as Adult Protective Services.
Leonard J. Hansen is recognized as the pioneer journalist and author writing for and about mature adults, founding, publishing and editing Senior World newspapers and a syndicated newspaper columnist. He has received 106 professional awards and fellowships for his work. Access his website at:
www.lenhansen.com
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