Elders can be vulnerable to abuse; know its signs

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

By Michelle Burke and Liz Burnham / For The Herald

World Elder Abuse Awareness Day was launched 16 years ago, on June 15 by the International Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse and the World Health Organization at the United Nations. This annual recognition serves as an opportunity for communities everywhere to promote a better understanding of abuse and neglect of older generations.

Elder abuse is a prevalent yet underreported issue. It’s estimated that 1 in 10 Americans aged 60 and older have experienced abuse, and those are the reported cases. Fear of retaliation, feelings of shame and embarrassment, or simply their dependency on the abuser can often prevent a person from reporting their abuse.

Learning what elder abuse is and knowing the signs can help keep older adults safe. The sooner abuse is recognized, the quicker a person can get help.

There are five types of elder abuse: physical, emotional, financial, neglect and sexual. Signs of abuse can include: fear, anxiety, depression, changes in sleeping patterns and unexplained injuries such as bruises, sores or broken bones. A person might show signs of malnutrition, lack of basic hygiene, or appear overly medicated. The person might be left without important aids like glasses, a walker or medications. A spouse might prevent the other from attending social functions or family events, or going out alone to grocery shop. There may be unusual or sudden changes in a person’s will or financial documents, find stacks of unpaid bills or utilities turned off, forged signatures or lines of credit opened that they did not create. Perhaps a stranger or “friend” moves into the home, claiming to take care of or look after the elder. One partner might control all the money, not allowing the other to spend or hold joint accounts, creating secrecy within their financial affairs.

https://www.heraldnet.com/opinion/comment-elders-can-be-vulnerable-to-abuse-know-its-signs/

[Cracklin Charlie]

1. My husband (only 60ish) got a financial offer in yesterday's mail.

They were offering him a loan with 98% interest.

He almost choked on his coffee.

[appalachiablue]

2. A very impt. and sad topic, thanks for posting.

[SheltieLover]

3. Kicking for visibility

Ty for posting this!

[slightlv]

4. All the Medicare Advantage stuff

ought to be outlawed!!! You wouldn't believe the way my husband and I answer the phone anymore. Everything is a scam or spam.

Beyond that, this is really a deep subject, because sometimes the abuse is turned around. I took care of my mom for years. My sister and I were signatories on her account. We both bought her groceries, tho I paid out of my own account most of the time (when we were in the money) until my sis flat out told me to stop doing that and use mom's money. As Mom's dementia grew worse, I actually moved into her basement to be there in the evenings and overnight. I already worked in the same city as where she lived. My sister lived in the same city, but worked 50 miles away. So, I took care of Mom through the week; Sis took over on the weekends. Mom grew absolutely, flat-out mean. She was a person neither one of us had ever met before. It got so bad, I moved back to my own home and still checked in on her through the evenings after work, until it got to the point to where my husband and I bought a house a few blocks from her.

That worked until we were told by the hospital she couldn't live in her house by herself any longer. Hubby and I moved her in with us. She stayed with us for a little over a year. She had her own bedroom, her own living area, and a communal kitchen (although I did all the cooking and serving, etc.) While I'm 17 years younger than Mom, I have fibromyalgia, lupus, osteoarthritis, and degenerative disk disease. I also weigh 92 pounds. Hubby weighs about 120. Mom weighs over 200. When she fell on the floor, there was no way to get her back up except to call 911 for help. One night she was in the family room watching TV with us (which meant SHE chose what was on the TV) until she decided to go to bed. I helped get her up to walk up the ramp to get to her bedroom, with hubby behind me, just in case, when I saw her look at my husband and she leaned over and asked me who "that man" was behind me. I saw the total lack of recognition of my husband and knew that she'd gone one step too far for me to handle at that point. Sis and I got hold of the hospital to help us find a memory home for her and while she didn't make it easy on us in the beginning, we've never looked back on the decision.

So while the these five types of elder abuse listed in the blurb above (note: I didn't read the entire article) are true as far as they go, it can be elder upon elder abuse. I'd always been so sensitive to ensure I treated mom with the utmost care and respect; never thinking the tables could be turned. Please realize they CAN turn, and don't feel guilty if they do and you can't cope. Reach out and ask for help. You'll be surprised to find you're not alone.