Did you know that every day 10,000 people turn 65 in the United States? Our demographics are shifting and we will soon have more older adults in the U.S. than ever before. Every year, an estimated five million older Americans are victims of elder abuse, neglect, or exploitation, roughly one in ten older Americans over the age of 60 has been the victim of some kind of abuse, and that's only part of the picture. According to the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, an estimated 93% of elder abuse cases go unreported each year.
What is Older Adult Abuse?
Elder abuse is a single or repeated act of intentional or negligent behavior perpetrated by a caregiver, entity, family member, staff, or trusted individual, that causes harm to a vulnerable older adult. These types of acts constitute a violation of human rights and take many forms.
Please note that it is very common for an older adult to be subjected to more than one of the above forms of elder abuse at the same time. They are not mutually exclusive.
Who is at risk?
All older adults may be victims of elder abuse. Regardless of whether they are rich or poor, highly educated or undereducated, or suffering from dementia or “sharp as a tack,” seniors of all races, cultures, and creeds are victimized. Elder abuse is a silent problem that robs seniors of their dignity, security, and in some cases costs them their lives. It can occur anywhere - in the victim’s home, a family member’s home, a nursing home, an assisted living facility, or in other institutions.
What are the signs?
The most common warning signs of elder abuse are strange and sudden changes to an older adult’s mental, physical, or financial well-being. Specific signs of elder abuse and neglect vary depending on what type of elder abuse is affecting the victim. If you notice that an older adult exhibits warning signs of abuse, take immediate action.
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Emotional & Behavioral Signs
- Increased fear or anxiety
- Isolation from friends and family
- Unusual changes in behavior or sleep
- Withdrawal from normal activities
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Physical Signs
- Dehydration or unusual weight loss
- Unattended medical needs
- Unexplained injuries, bruises, cuts, or sores
- Unsanitary living conditions, poor hygiene, or torn or bloody underclothing
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Financial Signs
- Fraudulent signatures on financial documents
- Unusual or sudden changes in spending patterns, will, or other financial documents
- Unpaid bills
Five things everyone can do to prevent older adult abuse
- Listen to older people and caregivers to understand their challenges and provide support.
- Educate one another about the signs of abuse and how to get help.
- Report suspected abuse or neglect as soon as possible.
- Build a community that fosters social connections and supports.
- Reach out to professional services for support where available.
How to report suspected abuse
Maryland law requires health practitioners, police officers, and human service workers to report suspected abuse of vulnerable adults to the local department of social services. A vulnerable adult is anyone over 18 years of age who lacks the physical or mental capacity to provide for their daily needs. Social workers, employees of licensed health care facilities, and employees of financial institutions have additional, and in some cases mandatory, reporting requirements for abuse.
Any concerned person who has reason to believe that a vulnerable adult has been subjected to abuse may report it, and often the report can be anonymous. If you suspect that a child or adult is being abused or neglected please call 1-800-91Prevent (1-800-917-7383) or 911.
Whether or not you have called 911, you still may report the suspected abuse to one or more of the agencies mentioned below.
