At our Senior Citizens Day celebration held Tuesday May 27, the Cayuga County Legislature issued a proclamation to County Sheriff David Gould to commemorate June 15, as World Elder Abuse Awareness Day.
Although elder abuse was first recognized in the United States in the late 1970s, it remains in the shadows of the public consciousness. One in 20 older Americans nationwide is a victim of elder abuse, for a total exceeding 1.5 million. World Elder Abuse Awareness Day is an opportunity to focus much needed international attention on the problem. Every community that participates will intensify the message that “our elders deserve better.”
Abuse of older people is a tragedy inflicted on vulnerable seniors, an ever-increasing problem in today's society that crosses all socio-economic boundaries. Elder abuse is most often defined as any act that harms a senior or jeopardizes his or her health or welfare. Elder abuse encompasses many different types of harms (neglect, financial, emotional, sexual or physical) and can occur in community or institutional settings.
Abuse and neglect of older adults largely remains under-recognized or treated as an unspoken problem. Abuse and neglect of older adults is a complex and multi-faceted problem.
A number of situations appear to put the elderly at risk. In some cases, strained family relationships may worsen as a result of stress and frustration as the older person becomes more dependent. In others, a caregiver's dependence on an older person for accommodation or financial support may be a source of conflict. Social isolation is a significant risk factor for an older person to suffer mistreatment. Many elderly people are isolated because of physical or mental health conditions, or through the loss of friends and family members. Cultural and socioeconomic factors such as the depiction of older people as frail, weak and dependent and the erosion of the bonds between generations may also affect the risk of elder abuse.
Some of the signs and symptoms of abuse include: delays between injuries or illness and seeking medical attention, implausible or vague explanations for injuries or ill-health (from either patient or caregiver), frequent visits to emergency departments because a chronic condition has worsened (despite a care plan and resources to deal with this in the home), functionally-impaired older patients who arrive without their main caregiver or medical findings that are inconsistent with the history provided. All of our residents should watch for signs of abuse such as physical trauma, withdrawal, depression, anxiety, fear of family members, friends or caregivers.
Adult Protective Services maintains the responsibility to protect and provide services to vulnerable adults. They can receive and investigate reports of suspected abuse, neglect and exploitation and provide follow-up services. To report crimes involving elders, contact your local authorities by calling 911.
Seniors are valued members of society, and it is our collective responsibility to ensure they live safely and with dignity. Combating abuse of older people will help improve the quality of life for all seniors across this country and will allow seniors to continue to live as independently as possible. Treating them with respect and dignity will enable them to continue to serve as leaders, mentors, volunteers and important and active community members, thus contributing to the life and vibrancy of Cayuga County's seniors.
Celebrate World Elder Abuse Awareness Day on June 15. Show the world you care about ending elder abuse and neglect by wearing purple on this day.
Janet Taylor is an Aging Services Specialist for the Cayuga County Office for the Aging.
Abuse of older people is a tragedy inflicted on vulnerable seniors, an ever-increasing problem in today's society that crosses all socio-economic boundaries. Elder abuse is most often defined as any act that harms a senior or jeopardizes his or her health or welfare. Elder abuse encompasses many different types of harms (neglect, financial, emotional, sexual or physical) and can occur in community or institutional settings.
Abuse and neglect of older adults largely remains under-recognized or treated as an unspoken problem. Abuse and neglect of older adults is a complex and multi-faceted problem.
A number of situations appear to put the elderly at risk. In some cases, strained family relationships may worsen as a result of stress and frustration as the older person becomes more dependent. In others, a caregiver's dependence on an older person for accommodation or financial support may be a source of conflict. Social isolation is a significant risk factor for an older person to suffer mistreatment. Many elderly people are isolated because of physical or mental health conditions, or through the loss of friends and family members. Cultural and socioeconomic factors such as the depiction of older people as frail, weak and dependent and the erosion of the bonds between generations may also affect the risk of elder abuse.
Some of the signs and symptoms of abuse include: delays between injuries or illness and seeking medical attention, implausible or vague explanations for injuries or ill-health (from either patient or caregiver), frequent visits to emergency departments because a chronic condition has worsened (despite a care plan and resources to deal with this in the home), functionally-impaired older patients who arrive without their main caregiver or medical findings that are inconsistent with the history provided. All of our residents should watch for signs of abuse such as physical trauma, withdrawal, depression, anxiety, fear of family members, friends or caregivers.
Adult Protective Services maintains the responsibility to protect and provide services to vulnerable adults. They can receive and investigate reports of suspected abuse, neglect and exploitation and provide follow-up services. To report crimes involving elders, contact your local authorities by calling 911.
Seniors are valued members of society, and it is our collective responsibility to ensure they live safely and with dignity. Combating abuse of older people will help improve the quality of life for all seniors across this country and will allow seniors to continue to live as independently as possible. Treating them with respect and dignity will enable them to continue to serve as leaders, mentors, volunteers and important and active community members, thus contributing to the life and vibrancy of Cayuga County's seniors.
Celebrate World Elder Abuse Awareness Day on June 15. Show the world you care about ending elder abuse and neglect by wearing purple on this day.
Janet Taylor is an Aging Services Specialist for the Cayuga County Office for the Aging.
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