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Data from a recent statewide study in New York State found alarming rates of undetected elder abuse, neglect and exploitation. The study, which was headed up by Mark Lachs, MD of Cornell University's Weill Medical College, and Jackie Berman, PhD of the New York City Department for the Aging, conducted random telephone surveys of 4,000 New York residents 60 years and older, and compared the occurrence of elder abuse uncovered by the surveys to the numbers of cases reported to adult protective services, law enforcement, prosecutors' offices, victim services agencies, domestic violence programs, and aging services providers.
The study's results demonstrate that elder abuse is far more rampant than previously known: for all types of elder abuse, there are 23.5 unreported cases to every one reported to any agency. For financial exploitation, the ratio is 43.9 self-reported cases to every one reported to an agency. And the ratio of neglect cases is even higher, with 57.2 cases going unreported for every one that comes to the attention of any services system. Because the study did not include older persons who could not participate in a telephone survey, the actual prevalence of elder abuse in the total older population may be even higher.
Approximately one in thirteen persons 60 and older (7.6%) suffers from at least one form of elder abuse. While emotional/psychological abuse is the most common form reported to agencies, followed by physical abuse, the self-reported study found financial exploitation to be the most prevalent form of elder mistreatment.
These significant findings underscore the urgent need for Congress to appropriate funding for the Elder Justice Act, the first and only comprehensive federal law addressing elder abuse. The Act authorizes up to $100 million in funding per year for state and local Adult Protective Services (APS) Programs, which could provide an estimated 1,700 protective services investigators throughout the country. As the number of seniors, and in particular the number of cases of financial exploitation, rises exponentially, APS Programs throughout the country are being slashed because of faltering state budgets, severely compromising their ability to investigate elder abuse and to take measures to protect frail, often extremely vulnerable older victims. The Elder Justice Act also authorizes funding for critically needed research, forensic centers, demonstration programs and additional protections for long-term care residents.
Older persons, and younger adults with disabilities, who are victimized by violence, neglect and exploitation, are the only category of crime and abuse victims who receive no dedicated help from the federal government.The National Adult Protective Services Association (NAPSA), which represents APS Programs, professionals and clients, urges Congress to rectify this gross injustice by fully funding the Elder Justice Act.
Social worked is an LICSW/ MSW who currently works in Protective Services for seniors, investigating reports of abuse, neglect and exploitation, offering crisis intervention, service planning and mediation.
All names and identifying information has been changed to protect confidentiality.
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