1. Elder Abuse
Chapter 5

2. Demographics Explain History
Change in age structure occurred almost in chorus with the emergence of elder abuse
20th century – Birthrates = down, Life Expectancy = up
The 1900 Age Pyramid shows a disproportionate population favoring those under 18
2000 Age Pyramidfigure1, the sub-18 and over-55 populations are nearly equal
An inverted pyramid trend, like that in the European Union, will occur by mid-21st century

3. Race, Gender, and Life Expectancy
Why the gender gap?
Stress
Jobs
Lack of intimate relationships
Violence
Non-intimate partner violence
Homicide
5th most common cause of death for African American Men

4. Race, Gender, and Elder Abuse
Women are more likely to be victims of all types of elder abuse
Except neglect
Statistics and experiences of elderly women similar to that of intimate partner violence
Physical abuse levels nearly match those of young women
African American women 2.84% more likely to report physical violence
White women more likely to report verbal abuse

5. Sandwich Generation
Many middle-aged women are caring for both elderly parents and their children
1/8 Americans have an older relative living with them
10 million in Sandwich Generation
Caring for children until late 20s/early 30s result of increasing education levels
Financial dependence
Delay in childbirth
Investment retirement accounts lead to need for funds security
Resulting in working past age 62

6. Elder Abuse Frequency and Types
2%-10% of elderly are victims of one of the following types of abuse:
Financial Abuse
Neglect and Self-Neglect
Physical Abuse
Psychological Abuse
Sexual Abuse
A majority of elder abuse goes unreported
Estimated 2.5 million over age 60 experience elder abuse every year
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7. Financial Abuse 12.3% of elder abuse is financial
5 million victims in 2005
Definition includes:
Taking money/property
Influence signing of deed, will, or power of attorney
Receiving money/property for care that isn’t given
Cons: deception to gain trust
Scam: False or dishonest actions for financial gain
Telemarketing Scams
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8. Scammers and Their Scams
Family Member Abuse Causes:
60% of elder financial abuse is by family members
Financial problems
Sense of entitlement to or fear of losing inheritance
Negative relationship family members
Personal Relationship Scams
‘Sweetheart Scams’ – Seeking marriage without a prenuptial agreement
Seeking employment to gain access to finances, and/or turn the elder against their family
Impersonal and Large Target Scam Tactics
Scanning obituaries and casing neighborhoods for isolated elders
Business fraud (overcharging, misuse of position)

9. Easy Targets Conditions or factors that diminish trust:
Isolation
Loneliness
Recent loss
Conditions or factors that mark an elder as an easy target:
Physical or mental disabilities
Alzheimer's, Dementia
Lack of knowledge on finances
Family members with substance abuse problems or are unemployed

10. Risk Factors Receiving and cashing Social Security checks in a pattern
More susceptible to large target Social Security scams
Elderly control 70% of nation’s wealth because:
Healthy or great health insurance
More disposable monthly income
Fewer fixed expenses
Older women tend to lack financial experience
They can easy miss markers of financial abuse
They don’t know true wealth of investments

11. Neglect and Self-Neglect
Active Neglect: A caregiver purposefully denies care or necessities
For financial gain
Interpersonal conflict
Passive Neglect: Caregiver cannot perform duties due to illness, disability, stress, ignorance, immature, lack of resources
Self-Neglect: Elder person refuses care despite need
Possible perpetrators: Paid attendants, relatives, long-term care/hospital/nursing home employees
Spouses as caregivers may neglect or self-neglect due to own illnesses

12. Risk and Indicators
#1 factor: Diminished mental and/or physical capacity
High care needs
Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s
Signs of neglect in home:
Absence of necessities, inadequate living environment
In physical condition:
Poor personal hygiene, improperly clothed, bedsores
Behavior indicators in caregiver or abuser:
Anger, isolates senior, refuses to apply for aid for senior
In victim
Depression, nightmares, regressive, fear of caregiver

13. Physical Abuse Most commonly a continuation of domestic violence
Physical Indicators
Fractures or broken bones
Burns
Abrasions that resemble rope or strap marks
Internal injuries
Bruises
Behavior Indicators
Inquires about injuries are unexplained, have implausible explanations, or accounts are inconsistent
Numerous or suspicious hospitalizations
Delay between injuries occurrence and medical treatment

14. Psychological Abuse
Willful infliction of mental or emotional anguish by threat, humiliation, or other verbal or nonverbal conduct
Not typical in cultures that revere old age as a sign of wisdom
Asia, Africa
Western cultures view aging as negative and not valuable
Unable to function in technologically advancing world
Lack up-to-date skills

15. Risk and Indicators Risk Factors: Physical Indicators
Isolation or lack of support
Disabled
Racial or ethnic minority
Women
Physical Indicators
Significant change in appearance, stress-related conditions
Indicators in Perpetrators
Isolates the senior emotionally
Indicators in Elder
Problems sleeping, depression, cowers near abuser
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16. Sexual Abuse
Any form of nonconsensual sexual contact, including rape, molestation, or any unwanted or coerced toughing
Perpetrators can be anyone who can have unsupervised contact with the victim
Who is at Risk?
Mostly women, disabled, isolated, lack the physical or cognitive capacity to report or understand abuse
Physical Indicators
Genital or anal pain, irritation, or bleeding
Bruises on external genitalia or inner thighs
STDs

17. Theoretical Explanations
Psychological Models: A history of violent behavior, mental illness, and substance abuse in care givers is a greater cause of elder abuse
Social Learning Theory: A caregiver who engages in elder abuse is likely to have grown up with abuse
Symbolic Interaction Theory: Abuse more likely to occur when caregivers expectations of elder aren’t met
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18. Theoretical Explanations continued
Social Exchange Theory: Abuse and neglect more likely to occur when the balance of power in the relationship shifts (child is parent’s caretaker)
Situational Theory: Elderly persons who have many risk factors are more likely to be abused. Care providers who are unprepared to provide care create higher risks for abuse
Ecological Theory: Social networks play a valuable role in reducing the risk of being abused
Feminist Theory: Patriarchy creates a gender- based hierarchy that structures all of social life