Posted by Kathy Greenlee, Assistant Secretary for Aging at the Department of Health and Human Services

June 15th, 2011 marks the 6th Annual World Elder Abuse Awareness Day.  This is an important opportunity for Americans and people around the world to recommit ourselves to ending elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation.

Elder abuse, like domestic violence and child abuse, is a public health crisis that crosses all socio-economic lines.  Millions of older Americans are abused, neglected, or exploited each year – often by someone they know – and an estimated 84 percent of these incidents are not reported.

Elder abuse and exploitation is an issue that must be addressed.  As Americans enjoy longer lives and the senior population continues to grow, abuse will likely grow with it.  And, sadly, during hard economic times the prevalence of financial exploitation increases.

One way this administration is committed to fighting elder abuse is through the Elder Justice Act, which was signed into law by President Obama last year.  The Elder Justice Act provides the first-ever authorization of Federal resources for adult protective services demonstrations to test the best methods of identifying, responding to, and preventing elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation.  In fact, the President’s 2012 Budget proposes $16.5 million in first-time funding for this purpose.

In addition to resources, ending elder abuse is critically dependent on the partnership of government agencies, law enforcement, adult protective services professionals, health and human services providers, faith-based organizations, and business and community leaders.  All of these entities play a crucial role in providing education, outreach, and support to the community, bringing offenders to justice for their crimes, and protecting and empowering victims and their loved ones.  These many organizations work tirelessly to help prevent elder abuse, and throughout the year there are many observances, such as World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, that allow each of us the opportunity to honor older individuals and draw attention to the problem of elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation.

On this World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, I encourage agencies, organizations, and individuals across the world to recognize this under-reported issue and raise awareness about the mistreatment of seniors.  Let this be a renewal of a life-long commitment to ending elder abuse in the United States, and around the world, as we strive to create communities that safeguard and protect elders.

Click here to learn more about this day and how you can “Join Us in the Fight Against Elder Abuse.”

It is estimated that 84% of elder abuse cases go unreported.

The Elder Abuse Initiative focuses on the prevention, intervention, detection, and reporting of elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation by presenting seniors with options to enhance their lifestyle choices.

Elder abuse is defined as the abuse, neglect, or exploitation of an individual age 60 or older.
To make a referral to the Elder Abuse Initiative, contact Tracey Robertson, Regional Protective Services Coordinator, The Heritage Agency, at (319) 398-5559.

Dependent Adult Abuse, according to Iowa Code, includes the following criteria:

• Dependent Adult – a person age 18 and older

• Caretaker

• An allegation of abuse recognized by Iowa Code 235B or 235E.

Elder Abuse has Six Categories:

• Denial of Critical Care by a Caretaker

• Self-Denial of Critical Care

• Financial Exploitation

• Physical Abuse

• Emotional/Psychological Abuse

• Sexual Abuse & Exploitation

Warning Signs of Possible Elder Abuse:

• Lack of heat and/or water, unsanitary or hazardous conditions

• Lack of clothing to provide protection from the weather

• Lack of cleanliness, grooming, personal, or medical care

• Advancing memory difficulties, confusion

• Significant weight loss, malnutrition, dehydration

• Unexplained injuries or injuries inconsistent with the explanation

• Withdrawal, depression, or isolation

• Mail/newspaper not collected

• Caretaker is evasive about financial arrangements, unusual activity in bank accounts, unpaid bills, new poverty

To report suspected Dependent Adult Abuse, call 800-362-2178.

There’s an elderly neighbor you’ve chatted with at civic meetings and block parties for years. When you see her coming to get her mail as you walk up the street, you slow down and greet her at the mailbox. She says hello but seems wary, as if she doesn’t quite recognize you. You ask her about a nasty bruise on her forearm. Oh, just an accident, she explains; the car door closed on it. She says goodbye quickly and returns to the house. Something isn’t quite right about her. You think about the bruise, her skittish behavior. Well, she’s getting pretty old, you think; maybe her mind is getting fuzzy. But there’s something else – something isn’t right.

Every year, tens of thousands of elderly Americans are abused in their own homes, in relatives’ homes, and even in facilities responsible for their care. You may suspect that an elderly person you know is being harmed physically or emotionally by a neglectful or overwhelmed caregiver or being preyed upon financially. By learning the signs and symptoms of elder abuse and how to act on behalf of an elderly person who is being abused, you’ll not only be helping someone else but strengthening your own defenses against elder abuse in the future.

For more information about the types of elder abuse, signs & symptoms of elder abuse, risk factors for elder abuse, and how to prevent elder abuse, click on this link:  http://www.helpguide.org/mental/elder_abuse_physical_emotional_sexual_neglect.htm.

To report suspected elder abuse, contact Tracey Robertson, Regional Protective Services Coordinator, Heritage Area Agency on Aging at 319-398-5559.

According to the Journal of National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys, Fall 2003 Issue – “84% of elder abuse cases go unreported and 40% of all elder abuse involves some form of financial exploitation.”

The Elder Abuse Initiative (EAI) focuses on the prevention, intervention, detection and reporting of elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation by presenting elders with options to enhance their lifestyle choices.

HOW IT WORKS

The Elder Abuse Initiative (EAI) is a service delivery system created though partnerships with the Area Agencies on Aging, the Department of Human Services (DHS), law enforcement, county attorney’s, providers, and other stakeholders in the community.  Referrals are received from the community, law enforcement and DHS.  When these calls are received, the Regional Prevention Coordinator (RPC)  contacts the client and makes an assessment of needs, identifies potential or real risk, provides an evaluation of dependency, and coordinates service delivery.

OBJECTIVES

• Respond to reported concerns of elders at risk of, or experiencing, abuse, neglect or exploitation
• Network and coordinate community resources to respond to the needs of the targeted population
• Collaborate and be a resource for case managers, physicians, law enforcement, county attorneys,

   DHS, domestic violence agencies and long term care facilities

• Locally increase public awareness on elder abuse issues
• Enhance the quality of mandatory reporter training in local areas

RESULT

Vulnerable elders & community stakeholders gain information about available services and support systems, which allow elders to live at home with greater comfort and security.

WARNING SIGNS of POSSIBLE ABUSE

• Lack of environmental needs or unsafe structures
• Mail / newspaper not collected
• Lack of cleanliness, grooming, personal or medical care
• Significant weight loss, malnutrition, dehydration
• Withdrawal, depression or isolation
• Unexplained injuries or injuries inconsistent with the explanation
• Advancing memory difficulties
• Family relying on elder’s finances, unusual spending, new poverty

To refer a client to the Elder Abuse Initiative, contact Tracey Robertson, Regional Protective Services Coordinator, The Heritage Agency, at 319-398-5559 or email tracey.robertson@kirkwood.edu.  To report suspected dependent adult abuse, call 800-362-2178.

Elder Justice Act – Appropriations Update

Unfortunately at this point, neither the House nor Senate Labor, Health and Human Services FY 2011 appropriation bills contain any money for the Elder Justice Act.  We have been advised that funding for the Elder Justice Act has been hindered by the fact that the bill passed as late as it did in the FY 2011 appropriation planning process combined with a more difficult fiscal environment.  We are not convinced that all avenues for funding the EJA have been closed and we will keep the Coalition posted on the next advocacy steps and strategy as we receive additional information.

On a more positive note, the FY 2011 Labor, Health and Human Services appropriations bill recommends an increase in funding to Title VII of the Older Americans Act, the protection of vulnerable older Americans.  The bill recommends $24 million for this program, which is up $1 million from the President’s FY 2011 request and $2 million from FY 2010.

Also, the Social Services Block Grant, which provides funding to state adult protective services, remains steady at $1.7 billion.