Elder Abuse Awareness Day
Posted on May 29, 2014 by bob in In Every Life
Look around June 15 to see who’s wearing purple. Since 2006, June 15 has been designated World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD) by the International Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse, the World Health Organization, and the United Nations. The goal is to increase awareness of abuse, neglect, and exploitation of older persons, and to acknowledge its significance as a public health issue.
Abuse and neglect affects older people from all socio-economic levels, cultures and races, occurring in homes and institutional settings. Abuse most often occurs behind closed doors, with victims reluctant to report, resulting in difficulty accurately measuring the problem. However, in 2010, the National Elder Mistreatment Study revealed more than one in ten older adults in the U. S. reported some type of abuse or neglect the previous year. This rate would have been increased if the study had included high risk individuals with dementia or those in long term care facilities, and is expected to increase as the number of older adults grows.
Abuse includes:
— abandonment/neglect (including self-neglect);
— emotional/psychological abuse (including verbal abuse/threats);
— physical/sexual abuse;
— financial abuse/exploitation (the most frequent type based on current data).
Red flag warning signs include:
— subtle changes in hygiene/clothing;
— lack of available food, medication, assistive equipment;
— missing appointments;
— withdrawal from usual activities or isolation;
— excessive control by caregiver(s);
— bedsores, bruises, burns, fractures, or unexplained sexually transmitted infections;
— gifts or transfers of unusual amounts of money or property,
— changes in a will or Power of Attorney.
Alabama’s Adult Protective Services Act was strengthened in 2013 with passage of the Protecting Alabama Elders Act. This law targets protection of individuals age 60+ from emotional abuse, physical or sexual abuse, neglect and financial exploitation by having broader categories for prosecution of offenses.
Efforts are underway at all levels – county, state, national and international – to address the problem of mistreatment of vulnerable older adults. You can help increase awareness of the problem and provide a safe environment for older individuals to tell their stories. Be alert for abuse of all types, ask questions, and listen. Report concerns. Share information from the Resources websites with your church or community group.
Show respect for older citizens by reporting suspicions of abuse or neglect. And on June 15, wear purple!
Resources:
Adult Protective Services hotline: 1-800-458-7214 (if in immediate danger call 911)
Long-term care facilities ombudsman: www.ltcombudsman.org/ombudsman
Agency on Aging Elder Abuse Prevention: www.aoa.gov/
National Center on Elder Abuse: 1-855-500-3537; www.ncea.aoa.gov
World Elder Abuse Awareness Day: www.acl.gov
International Network for Prevention of Elder Abuse: www.inpea.net/
Arlene H. Morris, EdD, RN, CNE is Professor of Nursing, Auburn Montgomery School of Nursing. Reach her at amorris@aum.edu.
