Ten percent of Americans over the age of 60 have experienced some form of elder abuse in the last year. This number is expected to rise with the growth of the aging population. For the first time in human history, the population of older adults will outnumber children in the U.S.
Because of this shift in balance, there will be fewer caregivers to look after the older generation, which creates a risk factor for elder abuse.
Caregivers, including family members, account for 90% of elder abuse. Abuse that comes from loved ones can make older adults hesitant to report it, so oftentimes it is someone outside the family who will see the warning signs.
The six common categories of abuse are:
- Physical
- Emotional/Psychological
- Sexual
- Neglect
- Abandonment
- Financial/Exploitation
Older adults are an amazing value to a community with their wealth of knowledge and experience. Enjoy time with them, foster connections and look for warning signs of abuse.
By: Brenda Langdon
