By Kim Gardner, Elder Abuse Program Coordinator

 

ASHEVILLE - Every 2.7 minutes, one elderly person is victimized in the United States.

In North Carolina, about 12.9 percent of the population is 65 or older. The senior population of Buncombe, Henderson and Transylvania counties are already higher than the state average (21.4 percent of the population), and the number of seniors in the area is expected to increase as the Baby Boomer generation continues to age. Between 2010 and 2030, that population segment is expected to grow to 18 percent of the population in North Carolina.

 

With a significant portion of the area’s population comprised of seniors, elder abuse, neglect and exploitation is a serious concern. According to the U.S. Department of Justice, one in nine persons 60 and older has experienced some sort of abuse in the past year. In 2009, more than 17,000 reports of abuse, neglect or exploitation were made to North Carolina Adult Protective Services. Experts estimate that for every case that is reported to authorities, five to 14 cases go unreported. In addition, financial exploitation costs seniors an estimated $2.6 billion annually in lost finances and resources. Mistreated elders have a 300 times greater risk of death than non-abused seniors.

 

Elder abuse is a silent problem, one where the victim is too embarrassed to report an instance of abuse, neglect or financial exploitation. Typically, the person causing the abuse is well known to the victim – a spouse, adult child, other relative or a caregiver. About 80 percent of the time, the person is a family member. Since the elder typically knows the abuser and is most likely reliant on that person for care, the elder is hesitant to report the crime. Or the senior does not want others to know what is going on in the home and is ashamed that he or she lives with abuse, neglect or exploitation at an advanced age.

 

According to the National Center on Elder Abuse, elder abuse refers to intentional or negligent acts by a caregiver or trusted person that causes harm to a vulnerable senior. Some of the most common forms of abuse include: 

    - Neglect

    - Physical Abuse

    - Sexual Abuse

    - Financial Abuse and Exploitation

    - Emotional or psychological abuse and neglect (including verbal abuse and threats)

    - Abandonment

    - Self Neglect

Recognizing signs of abuse, neglect or exploitation.

    - Some signs of abuse include:

    - Bruises, black eyes, welts, lacerations and rope marks

    - Bone fractures, broken bones, skull fractures 

    - Open wounds, cuts, punctures, untreated injuries in various stages of healing 

    - Broken eyeglasses, physical signs of being subjected to punishment 

    - Reports of being hit, slapped, kicked or mistreated 

    - An elder’s sudden change in behavior 

    - Threats and intimidation causing mental anguish

Signs of caretaker neglect/self neglect include: 

    - Pressure ulcers

    - Unsafe and/or unsanitary living conditions 

    - Lack of medical care 

    - Malnutrition and/or dehydration  

    - Hoarding    

    

Poor hygiene

    - Not wearing suitable clothing for the weather

    - Confusion 

 

Signs of exploitation include:

    - Stolen ATM, debit or credit cards by caregivers or family members

    - Signing deeds to real estate property, loan papers or withdrawal slips through deception or coercion

    - Abuse of Power of Attorney authorization

    - Telemarketing/sweepstakes scams

    - Investment fraud

  

There are several common risk factors among elder abuse victims. These factors include having dementia, a mental health or substance abuse issue, social isolation and poor physical health.

 

In North Carolina, elder abuse and exploitation are crimes under General Statutes 14-32.3 and 14-112.2. They are felony offenses, and cover anyone 60 and older.

 

North Carolina also has a mandatory reporting law. This statute (General Statute 108A-102) requires those who know of a case of elder abuse, neglect or exploitation to make a report to Adult Protective Services. It must be noted that the elder victim must also have a disability to receive help from Adult Protective Services, per state statute.

The number for Adult Protective Services for Buncombe County is (828) 250-5998      

Henderson County is (828) 694-6240 -or- (828) 694-6244      

Transylvania County is (828) 884-3174      .

 

More information about elder abuse, neglect and exploitation can be found at the U.S. Administration on Aging National Center on Elder Abuse’s website, www.ncea.aoa.gov.

 

Kim Gardner is the elder abuse program coordinator with the 30th Judicial District Domestic Violence-Sexual Assault Alliance. This is an award-winning, innovative, nonprofit program serving the 30th Judicial District which includes the seven western most counties of North Carolina: Cherokee, Clay, Graham, Haywood, Jackson, Macon and Swain. Founded in 1998, the Alliance is a coalition of local and regional agencies serving victims of domestic violence, dating violence, stalking and sexual assault. Alliance members include: domestic violence-sexual assault agencies, regional mental health providers, the office of the district attorney and county sheriffs and legal aid services. The mission of the Alliance is to enhance the capacity of communities to respond effectively to incidents of domestic violence, dating violence, stalking and sexual assault, centering on victim safety and holding abusers accountable.

 

Kim Gardner can be reached at (828) 452-2122       

or toll free at 866-496-5406