Photo illustration by Jim HannonElder Abuse is an unnoticed crime, reports Tom Smith, Senior Staff Writer
FLORENCE, Alabama (Times Daily), November 11, 2007:
Annette L. spends the majority of her day sitting in a wheelchair, either watching television or looking out a window. With no family around, the 73-year-old has to rely on friends or a caregiver for help. The problem is finding someone she can trust.
"I had some people who were supposed to be taking care of me, but all they did was take advantage of me and the situation I'm in," said Annette, whose last name is being withheld to protect her privacy. "They ran up my telephone bill, and there were some things that came up missing in my house. I can't say if they took it or not, but it made me suspicious."
Recently in Franklin County, a man was arrested and later pleaded guilty for his role in exploiting money from an older resident.
"The man said he would do work for the person and took $300,000 for materials and work, but the work wasn't done," said Franklin County District Attorney Joey Rushing. "Exploiting people who are incapable of making rational decisions that they used to be able to do because of age or sickness is against the law. It's elder abuse."
As America's population ages, elder abuse is a growing concern for authorities.
"Elder abuse is not just a physical abuse of a senior citizen," said Jerry Groce, director of the Franklin County Department of Human Resources. "There's the physical aspect, but there is also neglect and exploitation, which are the two primary contributors."
The abuse may, at first, go unrecognized.
"It's a crime that goes unnoticed too many times," said Sharon Merriman-Nai, director of the National Center on elder abuse at the University of Delaware. "In fact, we believe the cases that are reported are only a fraction of what is out there."
According to information from the National Center on Elder Abuse, between 1 million and 2 million Americans 65 or older have been injured, exploited or otherwise mistreated by someone they depend on for care or protection.
"Traditionally, the elderly are a trusting generation, and because of that they are taken advantage of," Groce said. "Sometimes it's by people they know, family; other times it's by someone they are depending on for help."
According to information from the Alabama Department of Human Resources Adult Protective Services, in 2006 there were 5,136 cases of elder abuse investigations, which was 226 more than in fiscal year 2005.
"Neglect and exploitation of the elderly is running rampant," said Washington Assistant Attorney General Cathy Hoover. She said in the Washington attorney general's office, there are 30 assistant attorney generals who devote a part of their time to Adult Protective Services.
"It's a national problem that has no boundaries," she said.
"We see a lot of adult children who have substance abuse problems who are latching onto grandma's Social Security (check) to use it for drugs," she said. "Unfortunately, a lot of the people who are guilty of abusing the elderly are their family members."
A lot of the abuse among the elderly population is not reported because the victims are ashamed or afraid, said Alabama Commissioner on Aging Service Irene Collins.
"They don't want to think about a loved one taking advantage of them, and they're ashamed and embarrassed it happened, or they're afraid if they report the incident, there could be some retaliation," Collins said.
Becky Morris, adult service supervisor for the Colbert County Department of Human Resources, said that while some of the abuse is intentional, some is not.
"We live in a 'me' society, and everyone is on the go and they just don't have time to address the needs of our elderly relatives," Morris said. "Plus, a lot of the problem is denial; we don't want to think our parents are getting older and need more care and are not the same people they were years ago."
Morris said elder abuse comes in all shapes and forms, from "just not checking on a loved one, to actually taking advantage of their situation."
"We have more people than anyone would ever believe living by themselves, people who are a danger to themselves," she said. "Some people don't have the means to go to assisted-living facilities or nursing homes, so they're forced to try and live alone."
Merriman-Nai said there also are those people who are put in nursing homes and forgotten. "And that happens more than we want to realize," Groce said. "I guess it's out of sight, out of mind."
Morris said loneliness is a major problem with abuse victims. "That's where the neglect comes in," Groce said.
Lester is 84, nearly blind and has only a few living relatives. She been living alone for years. "All but for a pet tomcat," she said. "I have some family who helps me when they can, but they have their own lives." She admits that her life is depressing at times.
"A DHR housekeeper comes three days a week; other than her, there are times I go for weeks without seeing anyone but her. If something happens, and they don't come, I don't see anyone.
"Loneliness is one of the biggest things I have to fight. I have a television. I can't see it good, but I guess at what they're doing and what they're saying, because I can't hear good either. Some days I go to bed by 6 p.m.
"Most of the time, it's just me and this old cat. I talk to him just like he was human. He came up as a stray kitten and I tried for the longest to run him off. Now, I'm glad he didn't leave. I don't know what I'd do without him now."
Lester said she wants to stay in her home as long as she can. "I don't want to go to a nursing home unless I just have to," she said. "I pray every night for the Lord to let me take care of myself until he's ready for me."
Annette L. understands what Lester is going through. "My day consists of sitting in my wheelchair, hoping someone will come by," she said. "I look out the window, daydream and pray; it's those prayers that keep me going."
Merriman-Nai said society should be "outraged" at what is happening to the older
population. "It's truly heartbreaking that this problem exists," she said. "We've got to raise the public's awareness of what is going on, and be proactive, not reactive."
Collins agreed that awareness is the key to the problem. "The fastest growing segment of our society is the seniors, and they need to be protected. We need to elevate the awareness of this problem so people can watch out for our seniors," she said.
"I was at a seminar where the speaker was talking about elder abuse, and he said in some cultures elders are revered, but unfortunately we push them aside," Hoover said. "That's a shame, but it's true. When we should be taking care of our older population, we're exploiting, neglecting and abusing them."
Copyright © 2007 TimesDaily
