How to Investigate Elder Abuse

Elder abuse is a difficult to determine as there are so many factors which must be considered.

According to the American Psychological Association, approximately 2.1 million Americans are victims of some form of elder abuse. It is estimated that many more cases go unreported. Most abuse happens at home, while only four percent occurs in elder-care facilities. Currently there is no federal law protecting against elder abuse; yet individual states do offer laws and protections. Elder abuse is difficult to verify because there is no standard test to establish authenticity. Many police, social service agencies and doctors are insufficiently trained to distinguish maltreatment from normal incidents of aging. There are several areas to consider when investigating possible elder abuse.

Instructions

1. Interview the elder in order to establish the facts. Talk with them and listen to any and all complaints, concerns or problems they may have. In some cases it is necessary to have a psychological evaluation completed. This is especially useful for elders who suffer from dementia, other mental or emotional conditions, or simply cannot communicate effectively.

2. Assess the elder's physical condition. Look for injuries, sores, poor oral care, poor hygiene, signs of malnourishment, and bruising. Normal bruising attributed to accidents and aging occurs in predictable locations on the extremities. Those that are suspicious would be found on the ears, neck, genitals, buttocks, or even soles of the feet. It is important to note that some medications do impact blood clotting ability and make a person more prone to bruising.

3. Assess characteristics of the care facility or the elder's residence. Take note of any strong odors especially those of urine and feces. Also unchanged linens, overflowing trash receptacles, and poor maintenance of food preparation areas are definite indicators of serious problems.

4. Talk with facility personnel, home health-care workers, and family members. If the elder resides in a facility, speak to other residents and their families. Look for inconsistencies with statements and behavior, which may indicate problems. Staff members or persons who are overly involved with an investigation, show lack of concern toward the elder, or those who are verbally evasive when questioned, are cause for suspicion.

5. Look for inconsistencies in medical records and interviews with family, staff, and other personnel. Especially after a particular incident, or in the event of a death, all records should be examined closely for incorrect, missing, or suspicious information.

6. Report elder abuse to the local authorities. Calling the local police is the first step which will result in a visit from Adult Protective Services. If evidence to support the allegations is found, a case will be opened and monitored closely by appropriate social service agencies. In instances where the elder is unable to make decisions for themselves, and no appropriate family member is available to do so, a legal guardian may be appointed by the court.

Tips & Warnings

• Elder abuse can be physical, emotional, sexual, neglect, abandonment, or a combination of the above.

• Although there is no set personality indicating an abuser, much like child abusers or domestic abusers, there is a pattern of behavior that poses warning signs. Abusers may; be alcohol or drug abusers, control the elder's actions, isolate elders from family and friends, create an emotional or financial dependence, threaten to leave, be indifferent toward them, threaten to harm an elders' pet, resort to name calling, have a criminal history, or even have a mental illness.

• Those elders who are socially isolated, mentally impaired, or severely physically impaired may be at greater risk.

References

• National Institute of Justice: Elder Abuse in the United States
• National Center on Elder Abuse: 15 Questions and Answers about Elder Abuse
• American Psychological Association: Elder Abuse and Neglect, In Search of Solutions