What is elder abuse?
How prevalent is it?
Who must report suspected abuse?
How does one report suspected abuse?
How common are the different types?
Who is a typical victim?
Who is a typical abuser?

What is elder abuse?
The National Center on Elder Abuse (NCEA) defines it as "...a term referring to any knowing, intentional, or negligent act by a caregiver or any other person that causes harm or a serious risk of harm to a vulnerable adult." The NCEA categorizes elder abuse into several subtypes:

Physical abuse--inflicting or threatening to inflict physical harm; deprivation of a basic need.
Emotional abuse--causing deliberate mental pain or suffering through verbal or non-verbal acts.
Abandonment--the desertion of a vulnerable adult by anyone responsible for his or her care.
Neglect--failure on the part of a responsible party to provide food, health care, shelter or other
basic needs to a vulnerable adult.
Sexual abuse--non-consensual sexual contact.
Exploitation--theft or misuse of property, money or assets.
Self-neglect can also be considered a subcategory of elder abuse.

How prevalent is it?
The National Elder Abuse Incidence Study estimated that there were about 500,000 cases in 1996, but noted that most cases go unreported. Other estimates have ranged as high as 5 million cases per year. The number of reported cases is trending upward each year nationwide. In Virginia over the past decade, (through 2002) there has been a 94% increase.

Who must report suspected abuse?
State laws require certain professionals to notify local social services departments if they suspect elder abuse. In Virginia, those who must report are doctors, nurses, social workers, mental health professionals, law enforcement officers, people who work with adults in a public or private agency or facility, and people who provide full-time or part-time care to adults for pay. However, anyone who encounters suspected abuse should report, even though not legally obligated to do so. Someone who reports abuse is immune from civil or criminal liability, unless he or she acts out of malice or bad faith.

How does one report suspected abuse?
Notify the Adult Protective Services (APS) program in the county where the victim lives. APS will send a social worker to investigate the report and, if confirmed, can institute a variety of measures to assure the safety and well-being of the older person. An alleged victim of abuse is entitled to refuse the help of APS, unless the person has been declared incapacitated by a court and a guardian appointed. If someone discovers an abuse situation that appears imminently threatening to the victim's life or well-being, reporters should contact local law enforcement by dialing 9-1-1.

How common are the different types of abuse?
According to 2002 NCEA figures, 52.3% of cases involved neglect or abandonment; 35.4%, emotional abuse; 30.2%, exploitation; 25.6% physical abuse; .3% sexual abuse. (The total exceeds 100% because many cases involve more than one type of abuse.)

Who is a typical victim?
Social isolation and vulnerability due to mental or physical impairments are risk factors for abuse. Living with someone else may in some situations increase the risk. Sometimes there is a prior history of domestic violence. A typical victim is often described as a woman over 80 years old with less than a college education, a poor to modest income and dementia and/or physical frailty. However, it is importatnt o realize that victims can be male or female and come from all socioeconomic backgrounds.

Who is a typical abuser?
Both men and women can be abusers. The abuser is a family member 90% of the time. Two thirds of abusers are adult children or spouses. Abusers may act out of stress, a sense of loss of control or a lack of caregiving knowledge and skills. Sometimes a need to exercise power over another person is a contributing factor. Occasionally the abuser is someone who deliberately chooses his or her actions for personal gain. However, it is important to remember that often abusers have good intentions of meeting their caregiving responsbilities, but are overtaxed and unprepared.

Additional information:
The National Center on Elder Abuse
Virginia Department of Social Services