The Elder Abuse Question: Society Needs Better Answers

Census figures project that by the year 2020 the number of people over the age of 65 will double in California. Roughly translated, one in seven Californians will be elderly.

Viewing this in the context of today’s existing social problems, it should be no surprise that the National Center on Elder Abuse projects that one in 10 will be victims of abuse and neglect in their own homes. Even conservative estimates, which calculate the number of abused elders at closer to 4% of the elder population, make it equal to the incidence of child abuse.

In 1995 there were 41,585 reports of elderly or dependent elders being abused in their own homes in California. Orange County, with a population of approximately 360,000 elderly people, accounted for over 2,700 of those reports. These figures continue to rise.

Between 1990 and 1995, the numbers of abuse reports received by the county Social Services Agency’s Adult Protective Services program has increased more than 150%. This year continues the ever-increasing trend, with reports averaging 230 per month. With estimates that only one in six cases of abuse are ever reported, Orange County appears to be seeing only the tip of the iceberg.

Abuse generally takes on three forms: physical abuse, neglect and financial exploitation. In most confirmed cases, elements of each overlap.

More than 80% of the cases reported in Orange County involved one or more of these categories, with the balance including other forms of abuse such as mental suffering and abandonment. In nearly 70% of the cases, a family member is named as the alleged abuser.

Most victims are women, approximately 75 years old and living alone. The typical abuser is a male, spouse or family caretaker, a substance abuser and usually dependent on the victim for income.

Evidence shows that some individuals who abuse adults themselves have been abused as children or exposed to other forms of domestic violence. What is less certain is whether the abusers are violent by way of lifestyle or exacting retribution. Elder and dependent adult abuse, while distinct in many respects, share many of the dynamics of child and spousal abuse. Elder abuse has become a part of, if not the product of, a continuum of familial violence.

Legislation and programs dealing with elder abuse are still in their formative stage. It was only in 1984 that state statutes formally addressed this issue. From 1985 through 1989, Orange County was one of five counties funded by the state to develop pilot Adult Protective Services programs investigating allegations of abuse and neglect of elder and dependent adults in their homes. The programs provided ample evidence that there was a need, but state funds specifically allotted for addressing elder and dependent abuse were eliminated in 1990.

California became part of a trend in 1989 when states were spending $3.80 on protective services for each older adult and approximately $45 for each child. Faced with the mandate to maintain a response to abuse, but with limited funds, the Orange County Board of Supervisors chose to maintain the Adult Protective Services program in its entirety. It was not until the recent bankruptcy that services were reduced. Even so, Orange County has maintained a framework for addressing this problem.

Community concern that leads to and coordination of existing agencies and their resources are needed. On the local level, the Adult Protective Services program collaborates with law enforcement and other governmental agencies.

The Area Agency of Aging, home-delivered meals and senior centers are integral components for preventing abuse. On the legal front, the Orange County Bar has an elder law section whose members address the many legal needs of seniors, and an organization called Lawyers for Elder Abuse Prevention provides education on how to avoid financial exploitation.

Prosecution of elder and dependent adult abuse is also developing. The Orange County district attorney’s office has taken a progressive step and included the prosecution of this crime under the same department that handles domestic violence and child physical abuse.

On a personal level, there are steps one can take to avoid being a victim.

Here are some helpful numbers: Report elder abuse to the county Social Services Agency’s Adult Abuse Registry, at (714) 566-3116. If the abuse occurs in a long-term care facility, call (714) 863-0323. To locate services for elderly or respite help for caretakers, call the Area Agency on Aging at (714) 567-7400.

The ally of all abusers is the victim’s isolation. Maintain close social contacts and create a reasonable climate of concern for you with close friends and family. People tend to lose touch or let time pass without realizing it.

Attend to financial matters ahead of time and, if necessary, consult with an attorney for legal instruments that will protect your assets and yourself should you become impaired. The most difficult thing that one can do is to directly address dysfunctional family relationships early and seek help, professional or otherwise, to correct the problem or protect yourself. Certain family dynamics become ingrained and are less capable of change later in life.

The issue of elder and dependent adult abuse, while relatively new, is fast approaching critical mass. More intensive planning to combat this issue remains on the horizon.