Elderly Spousal Abuse

It is difficult to quantify how many elderly people are the victims of spousal abuse.

Elder abuse is defined by Medline Plus, as "doing or failing to do something that results in harm to an elderly person or puts a helpless older person at risk of harm."
While physical, emotional and sexual abuse and neglect are included, stealing or misappropriating an elderly person's property or money constitute elder abuse as well. Although elder abuse happens sometimes in facilities, the American Psychological Association indicates that it is most common in domestic situations.

Statistics and Definitions

Elder abuse occurs most frequently in domestic settings.

According to the National Center on Elder Abuse, "between 1 and 2 million Americans age 65 or older have been injured, exploited or otherwise mistreated by someone on whom they depended for care or protection." The National Committee for the Prevention of Elder Abuse identifies "late onset domestic violence" as "an escalating pattern of violence or intimidation by an intimate partner, which is used to gain power and control" and cites men as the most frequent perpetrators.

Causes

Women are most at risk for elderly spousal abuse.

Elderly spousal abuse may be an old pattern in an existing relationship or may be precipitated by various life changes that take place in old age. The abuse may begin as a result of the stress of caring for an aging, disabled partner or may arise out of changing roles in the family. Those who are most at risk are women who continue abusive relationships into late life as well as those who began new intimate relationships as older women.

Types of Elder Abuse

Elderly spousal abuse takes many forms including violence, emotional torment, financial abuse and neglect. If the relationship has historically been abusive, chances are spousal abuse will continue into late life. Sometimes, the stress of caring for an ailing partner catalyzes abuse manifested by frustration, a lack of support or resources, or feeling overwhelmed by circumstances.

Signs of Abuse

Victims of elderly spousal abuse may become isolated, withdrawn and fearful.

Signs of elderly spousal abuse or caregiver abuse include obvious symptoms such as broken bones, unexplained bruises, cuts or bed sores. These incidences tend to escalate over time. Neglect is characterized by poor hygiene, inadequate food and improper or unsafe facilities. Such victims often display confusion or dissociative behaviors. According to the American Psychological Association, victims may become withdrawn, evasive or "unreasonably fearful." Victims of abuse may also begin speaking in "code" about their circumstances.
Abusers who inflict psychological domestic violence may isolate the victim by not allowing visitors or may act aggressive or controlling. Caregivers of the elderly who are drug- or alcohol-addicted also may be abusing the patient.
The financial abuse of an elderly person may be indicated by a caregiver whose life is subsidized by the victim or is inappropriately compensated for his or her services. Financial abuse also may be suspected when an elderly person does not have the medical products he or she needs when such things could clearly be affordable.
Abusers may give too much or too little medication, frequently cancel medical appointments or change doctors or facilities for no apparent reason.

Resources

Elder abuse is a crime. Contact authorities if someone is in danger.

The US Center on Aging recommends anyone in immediate danger call 911 or the local authorities. For local reporting, the Eldercare Locator can be reached at 800-677-1116. Adult protective services (APS) is listed in most states under the department of human services or social services.

References

• National Committee for the Prevention of Elder Abuse: Domestic Violence
• National Center on Elder Abuse: Statistics at a Glance
• Medline Plus: Elder Abuse
• American Psychological Association: Elder Abuse and Neglect-In Search of Solutions

Resources

• Center on Elder Abuse: Red Flags of Abuse