Elder abuse refers to knowledge, intention, or negligence action by caregivers or other individuals resulting in harm or adverse risk of danger for an older individual, aged 60 years and above (Pillemer et al., 2016). It is related to changes in the living situations and relationships occasioned by the older person’s growing dependence on others for companionship and for meeting basic needs or by a family member’s increased reliance on the older person for shelter and financial support. Elder abuse can be abandonment, abuse of any kind, neglect, exploitation, isolation, and self-neglect or a combination of these forms. Statistics indicate that a majority of the victims are individuals aged above 80 years, those with dementia or cognitive impairment, and two-thirds are women (Plati et al., 2016). Therefore, the abusers of the elderly persons often include their known and trusted caregivers and family members such as their adult children and spouses amongst other family members.
The signs of elder abuse usually vary with each case, and some elderly persons can be victims of more than one abuse. Nonetheless, the common signs of elder abuse include physical injuries like bruises, cuts, or broken bones, malnourishment or unexplained weight loss, poor hygiene, exhibiting symptoms of anxiety, depression, or confusion, inexplicable transactions or loss of money, and withdrawal from familial members or friendships (Simone et al., 2016). The foremost step in prevention of elder abuse is a recognition that no individual immaterial of their condition should be treated with violence, abuse, humiliation, or negligence to promote positive social attitudes (Plati et al., 2016). Secondly, there should be public education and awareness concerning elder abuse to highlight the special needs, problems, and risk factors for elder abuse. Thirdly, there should be an increase in the availability of respite care to reduce caregiver stress that often results in abuse (Pillemer et al., 2016). Fourthly, elder abuse can be prevented through the promotion of increased social contact and supported for familial settings that have dependent older persons. Lastly, counseling and treatment for coping with individual and domestic issues that lead to elder abuse should be encouraged for individuals in settings with a dependent elder (Plati et al., 2016). Besides, the members of the public need to watch for signs of elder abuse and understand the process of getting help and reporting abuse.
The Mandatory Reporter provision is an essential resource for elder abuse that obligates individuals within the setting or occupations with the elderly to report to relevant agencies on knowledge or suspicion of elderly abuse (Thomas, 2020). Further, the Aging and Disability Services Division in the respective states guided by Elder Abuse Law is vital for addressing this menace (Thomas, 2020). Similarly, the various community resources in the form of agencies like the US Administration on Aging, Area Agencies on Aging, the Adult Protective Services, Elder Protection Services, the National Center on Elder Abuse, and other community-based elder abuse organizations are key resources with clear frameworks on addressing elder abuse (Thomas, 2020). Additionally, the local, state, and federal law enforcement and agencies on elderly care are vital resources for opening cases, mandating compliance, and preventing elder abuse. Therefore, these resources are important since they help both the victims and their caregivers to deal with elder abuse by providing a guideline to be followed.