elderadvocare

The National Center on Elder Abuse was established in 1988 and serves as a national resource that is dedicated to the prevention of elder mistreatment. It is a program that falls within the U.S. Administration on Aging with a mission to “ensure that older Americans will live with dignity, integrity, independence, and without abuse, neglect, and exploitation.”With that goal in mind, they have developed seven types of elder abuse which are broadly defined as follows (as applied to caregivers or any other person that causes serious harm or a serious risk of harm):

Physical Abuse: Use of force to threaten or physically injure a vulnerable elderEmotional Abuse: Verbal attacks, threats, rejection, isolation, or belittling acts that cause or could cause mental anguish, pain, or distress to a seniorSexual Abuse: Sexual contact that is forced, tricked, threatened, or otherwise coerced upon a vulnerable elder, including anyone who is unable to grant consentExploitation: Theft, fraud, misuse or neglect of authority, and use of undue influence as a lever to gain control over an older person’s money or propertyNeglect: A caregiver’s failure or refusal to provide for a vulnerable elder’s safety, physical, or emotional needsAbandonment: Desertion of a frail or vulnerable elder by anyone with a duty of careSelf?Neglect: The inability to understand the consequences of one’s own actions or inaction, which leads to, or may lead to, harm or endangerment

We’ll cover some of these in more detail in upcoming posts, but wanted to get the broad brush stroke out there should you be concerned about the types of abuse while also pointing you to the center for a point of reference.