‘Perfect Storm’ for Elder Abuse
Posted on July 8, 2010 by bob in ElderJust
In Alabama, as in all states, tens of thousands of elder abuse cases go unreported and uninvestigated every year. Elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation is overwhelmingly perpetrated by victims’ own family members. Victims are primarily very frail and dependent on their abusers for basic, life-sustaining care. The typical victims, though certainly not all, are women between 75-85 years old and often isolated in their homes.
In addition to its moral dimensions, elder abuse is a serious public health issue. Nationwide nearly 11% of people ages 60 or older (5.7 million) reported suffering from some form of abuse within the past year. Elder victims of abuse, neglect and exploitation have three times the risk of dying prematurely, most suffering severe depression, loss of life quality, chronic injuries and poverty.
A minimum $2.5 billion is lost by the elder every year due to financial abuse and exploitation, with almost 90% of financial crimes against the elderly committed by those with personal access to the victim — relatives, neighbors, caregivers and “friends.” Some of the primary reasons for increased financial danger to aging persons include
— Converging conditions of wealth concentration, reduced decision-making abilities, and a rapidly aging population create the “perfect storm” for financial abuse schemes.
— Financial capacity and mental capacity are not the same as age advances.
— Persons born in the 1930s, 40s and 50s were taught to be polite, trusting and accessible — positive qualities perpetrators prey upon.
— Elders don’t report fraud out of fear of reprisal, losing care, or shame and embarrassment.
At the recent Elder Abuse Awareness Symposium in Montgomery, experts in elder abuse and financial exploitation spoke to a group of more than 100 people. Jointly sponsored by the Alabama Department of Senior Services, the Alabama Department of Human Resources and the Alabama Civil Justice Foundation, the Symposium included highlights of the new Elder Justice Act, part of the new healthcare reform act of 2010.
In the act, $780 million will be provided to states to fight elder abuse. This includes funds for new state case investigators, a national public awareness campaign on dangers to elders, and a unique system of high-tech “forensic analysis” of wounds and injuries to elder victims.
If you suspect elder abuse, report it confidentially in Alabama at 1-800-458-7214. Calls to 911 may also be used for emergency responses or to begin the reporting process.
Bill Fuller is an attorney and the Founding Director of the Alabama Elder Justice Project. He can be reached at 334-414-1941, or at billfuller@freshsprings.org.
