Facts About Elder Abuse in the United States
Elder abuse refers to intentional or neglectful acs by a caregiver or trusted indvidual that lead to, or may lead to, harm of a vulnerable elder.
What are the types of elder abuse?
Elder abuse includes physical, emotional, pyschological or sexual abuse as well as financial or material exploitation, neglect, and abandonment.
How Many Older Americans are Abused?
- A minimum of 1 in 9 of Americans over age 60 have experienced some form of elder abuse. Some estimates range as high as 5 million elders who are abused each year.
- For every one case of elder abuse reported to authorities, at least five more go unreported.
Who Commits Elder Abuse?
- In almost 90% of elder abuse and neglect incidents, the perpetrator is a family member.
- Two thirds of perpetrators are adult children or spouses.
Who are the Victims?
- Women and the very old are most likely to be abused.
- Some 14,000 allegations of abuse, neglect or gross negligence are reported in nursing homes.
- Close to 50% of those with dementia experience some form of abuse.
- By 2030, the numbers of older Americans over age 85 – those most at risk for abuse – will more than double. Reported cases of elder abuse are already on the rise.
What are the Effects of Elder Abuse?
- Elders who have been abused have a 300% higher risk of death when compared to those who have not been mistreated.
- While likely underreported, elder financial abuse costs older Americans more than $2.6 billion per year.
- Financial abuse accounts for nearly 21% of the allegations of mistreatment investigated by Adult Protective Services. It is the third most common substantiated form, following neglect and emotional/psychological abuse.
What is the Federal Government’s Current Role in Combating It?
- Less than 2% of federal abuse prevention dollars go to elder mistreatment efforts. 91% is spent on child abuse and 7% on domestic abuse.
- There are currently federal laws governing domestic violence and child abuse, but none related to elder abuse.
i think is gross how people hurt the elderly i mean with out them you wouldnt be here that is a grandpa and or grandma to some one and that is not ok you sould be punished for stuff like that you woulnt want someone beating you up so dont do it to them and with out hem their wouldn’t be a future
I am amazed that one of my family members wasd able to get 4 different credit cards at a total line of about 16000 dollars and all in my mothers name which was legally blind and now she suffered a stroke amd has had another line of credit added to the pile and all of this was done by her daughter and my 90 year old mother does not qualify for any helpfull programs because she has to much debt.
top that one
I am running for a seat in CD2 in AZ and I can guarantee that if elected, there will be a person hired in my office to handle these problems. In other words, not on my watch, I will not turn a deaf ear because I know these problems exist. How can get literature to put in my lobby of my office?
We have recognized the epidemic that is elder abuse in our county- Clark County, Washington. We have established The Clark County Vulnerable Adult Task Force, and through this task force we have been instrumental in legislation that resulted in revisions to the statutes pertaining to Vulnerable Adult Protection Orders. These amendments simplified and expedited the process for obtaining Vulnerable Adult Protection Orders as well as made them easier for law enforcement to enforce. All it takes are people willing to take a stand. Join us in our efforts to protect our seniors. Support the Elder Justice Act. See our website @www.clarkcountyvatf.com.
Please inform me of any recent legislation in Arizona on this elder crises that will only get worse with the boomer population and the sandwiich generation that is not equipped to handle this silent problem. It is surely a disgrace for our very young nation and needs immediate attention. The Boomer population should be on top of this entirely. THere just has to be as much importance to elders as Stranger Danger is to the young – a national theme as important as the call for breast cancer that is nation and world wide. America can eradicate this newfound problem with the help of churches and neighborgoods. Get the problem out so the solutions an come.