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Why Is Elder Abuse a Social Problem?

Elder abuse and neglect is a growing concern throughout the United States. While all states have requirements for reporting such abuse, no federal policy requires that such action be made. In many cases, family members and caretakers are often the responsible parties of elder abuse.

  1. Statistics

    • A concentration of wealth among the aging population creates vulnerability to financial abuse, Santa Clara County, Calif., Aging and Adult Services warned in 2006. With economic uncertainty and the cost of inflation, the elder population is even more vulnerable to financial abuse. The agency cited a Wisconsin study which found individuals over the age of 50 control at least 70 percent of household income, making them targets for exploitation.

      The abused elderly are at a higher risk of death, according to Merck Manuals, noting that a study found the survival rate is 9 percent for abused elders, compared to 40 percent for seniors in a non-abusive environment. In studying patients three years after the abuse, analysts found a mortality rate three times greater than that of non-abused elders.

      These statistics illustrate the underlying social problems because there exist financial incentives to promote elder abuse. Without the proper education, elder abuse will remain an undetected cause of death.

    Types

    • Elder abuse can include physical, emotional, sexual and financial mistreatment. Any threats of force against an elder constitute abuse. Signs that may indicate an elder is being abused include unexplained injuries, social withdrawal, disorientation and a reluctance to seek medical attention. Although elder abuse typically happens close to home, improper training of staff in nursing homes may also contribute to elder abuse. The caretaker may take extreme and violent measures to win the patient's cooperation.

    Social Issues

    • Elder abuse is an ongoing social issue because there is little preventative measures against it and it is not a commonly discussed topic. According to Merck, this appears to be a widely growing dilemma, primarily due to the baby boomer generation making up the majority of the U.S. population. If abuse is detected early, premature institutionalization will ensue, increasing reliance on public assistance programs.

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