As people grow older they tend to need more help from others, and many elderly people rely entirely on family or other “trusted” individuals for this help. Unfortunately, this dependence on others often makes an older person more vulnerable to abuse, and less likely to talk about that abuse if it occurs.

An older woman relying on her children to provide meals, transportation and help with financial decisions may find it difficult to complain if one of her children takes advantage of her. If, for example, the child takes her money, hits her, or neglects her care, the parent may be threatened with loss of that support from the child if she complains. The child may also use threats of violence to keep the parent in line.

It is estimated that 5% to 10% of elderly Americans are victims of abuse. According to the National Committee for the Prevention of Elder Abuse: “Spiraling rates of elder mistreatment are reported by both practitioners and researchers. In a recent national study of Adult Protective Services (APS) – typically the agency of first report concerning elder abuse – there were 253,421 reports of abuse of adults age 60+, or 832.6 reports for every 100,000 people over the age of 60 (Teaster, Dugar, Otto, Mendiondo, Abner & Cecil, 2006).”

A National Elder Abuse Incidence Study (National Center on Elder Abuse, 1998) found that “more than 500,000 persons aged 60+ were victims of domestic abuse, and an estimated 84% of incidents were not reported to authorities, denying the victims the protection and support they need.”

Although much attention has been focused on abuse in nursing homes, most of the elder abuse in this country is at the hands of family members or other caregivers in the home.

In 2004, Utah Adult Protective Services workers investigated approximately 2,400 allegations of abuse, neglect or exploitation of vulnerable adults. In Utah, a vulnerable adult is defined as, “an elder adult (65 years or older) or an adult, 18 years or older, who has a mental or physical impairment that substantially affects their ability to protect or provide for themselves.” The majority of the victims were females between the ages of 60-89, and 60% of the perpetrators were immediate family members or other relatives.

There are a number of reasons why incidents of abuse, neglect, or exploitation are not reported to Adult Protective Services or other authorities. One of the most common reasons is the victim’s fear that if the family member or other caretaker is incarcerated, or stops providing support, the victim will be left alone and expected to take care of him/herself, or be forced to live in a nursing home.

Many states have implemented mandatory reporting laws to assist in the prevention of abuse, neglect or exploitation of vulnerable adults. Utah is one of the many states to have a mandatory reporting law. This law states that any person who has reason to believe that a vulnerable adult has been the subject of abuse, neglect or exploitation should immediately notify Adult Protective Services or the nearest law enforcement agency. Anyone who makes a report in good faith is immune from civil liability in connection with the report; however, any person who willfully fails to report is guilty of a class B misdemeanor.

The following is a list of indicators of abuse, neglect or exploitation. It is important to note that the following lists are merely indicators and may not always be violations.

Signs of abuse:

• Unexplained bruises, welts, fractures, abrasions or lacerations
• Multiple bruises in various stages of healing
• Multiple/repeat injuries
• Low self-esteem or loss of self-determination
• Withdrawn or passive
• Fearful
• Depressed, hopeless
• Soiled linen or clothing
• Social isolation

Signs of neglect/self-neglect:

• Dehydration
• Malnourishment
• Inappropriate or soiled clothing
• Odorous
• Over/under medicated
• Deserted, abandoned or unattended
• Lack of medical necessities or assistive devices
• Unclean environment
• Social isolation

Signs of exploitation:

• Missing/”disappearing” property
• Inadequate living environment
• Frequent/recent property title changes or will changes
• Excessive home repair bills
• Forced to sign over control of finances
• No/limited money for food, clothes and other necessities

Prevention can only occur if there is awareness, the statutes are adhered to, and any suspicions of abuse, neglect or exploitation of vulnerable adults are immediately reported to Adult Protective Services and/or law enforcement.

All states have agencies that receive complaints of abuse. In some states, failure to report abuse of the elderly is a crime. To contact an abuse complaint department, call your local area agency on aging. To find an agency on aging in your area go to: http://www.longtermcarelink.net/eldercare/ref_state_aging_services.htm