Mediate Michigan

Elder abuse has not received adequate media exposure, funding from various levels of government, or recognition by the public. Within an institution, staff members are usually the guilty parties; outside, family members are often involved. The U.S. Census Bureau projects 62 million Americans will be age 65 or older by 2025. What’s needed?Awareness, prevention, and confrontation of elder abuse.

“Elder abuse” is a general term used to describe certain types of harm to older adults. Some other commonly used, sometimes more or less specific, terms include: battering, domestic violence, elder mistreatment, intimate partner violence, OLDER PEOPLE—ABUSE OF. The San Diego District Attorney’s office has defined elder abuse as the physical or psychological mistreatment of a senior; it can include taking financial advantage or neglecting the care of a senior. Elder abuse crimes fall into several categories:

Physical abuse, including assaults, batteries, sexual assaults, false imprisonment and endangerment;

Physical neglect by a caregiver, including withholding medical services or hygiene that exposes the elderly person to the risk of serious harm;

Psychological mental abuse, including making threats or the infliction of emotional harm;

Financial abuse, including theft of personal items such as cash, investments, real property and jewelry and neglect.

via Senior Power:… awareness, prevention, and confrontation. Category: Columns from The Berkeley Daily Planet – Tuesday June 08, 2010.