What is Elder Abuse?

Elder abuse is any form of mistreatment that results in harm or loss to an older person. It is generally divided into the following categories:

Physical abuse is physical force that results in bodily injury, pain, or impairment. It includes assault, battery, and inappropriate restraint.

Sexual abuse is non-consensual sexual contact of any kind with an older person.

Domestic violence is an escalating pattern of violence by an intimate partner where the violence is used to exercise power and control.

Psychological abuse is the willful infliction of mental or emotional anguish by threat, humiliation, or other verbal or nonverbal conduct.

Financial abuse is the illegal or improper use of an older person's funds, property, or resources.

Neglect is the failure of a caregiver to fulfill his or her care giving responsibilities.

Self-neglect is failure to provide for one's own essential needs.

How big a problem is it?

Although estimates vary, it is generally believed that 4-6% of the elderly are abused.

551,011 persons, aged 60 and over, experienced abuse, neglect, and/or self-neglect in a one-year period.

Almost four times as many new incidents of abuse, neglect, and/or self-neglect were not reported as those that were reported to and substantiated by adult protective services agencies.

Persons aged 80 years and older, suffered abuse and neglect two to three times their proportion of the older population.

Among known perpetrators of abuse and neglect, the perpetrator was a family member in 90 percent of cases. Two-thirds of the perpetrators were adult children or spouses.

How serious a problem is it?

The personal losses associated with abuse can be devastating and include the loss of independence, homes, life savings, health, dignity, and security. Victims of abuse have been shown to have shorter expectancies than non-abused older people.

If you, as a concerned citizen or a service provider, suspect that abuse has occurred or is occurring, report your suspicions to the local Adult Protection Service (APS) at Michigan Department of Human Services or call 1-800-996-6228.

If the suspected incident involves an older person living in an institutional setting, call the office of the local long-term care (LTC) ombudsman at (517) – 335-0148.