Berkshire Senior Online

By Susan Geary, Supervisor Protective Services

One to two million Americans over age 65 suffer some form of abuse each year. Abusers are typically some one known to the elder such as children, grandchildren, other relative, or close family friend. While this is a startling statistic what is even more concerning, is the number of reports that go unreported every year.

What is elder abuse? In the most extreme case, abuse could involve physical abuse of an elder by a person who has assumed a caretaking role such as spouse, child, paid caregiver, or other family member. The elder is dependent on the care that is given which gives the perpetrator a psychological advantage in the relationship.

Neglect is the failure or refusal of a caretaker to provide an elder with one or more of the necessities essential for physical well being. This can include, but is not limited to food and drink, clothing, personal care, supervision, medication, or access to medical care. Emotional abuse is the infliction of mental anguish through threats humiliation, or other verbal and non-verbal contact by a caregiver. This abuse can cause an elder to become depressed, withdrawn, experience a change in eating or sleeping habits, and have exaggerated fear responses.

Financial exploitation is the unauthorized use of funds or resources of an elder which results in a substantial loss to the elder or gain to the other person. This can include failure to provide an elder with access to bank accounts, checkbook, questionable transfer of property or assets, or reports of missing valuables. Sexual abuse is any form of sexual contact or activity without the elder’s consent or where the elder is unable to provide informed consent.

Why does abuse occur? There are two prevalent theories as to the cause of abuse. One is the unwillingness of the person in the caretaking role to provide the needed care for the elder, which in its most extreme form can be cruelty. The second, more commonly held theory, is the dependency the elder has and inability to provide for his or her basic needs such as food, clothing, shelter, medication, emotional comfort to sustain life.

Dependency of the elder on the caregiver places that person in a powerful position in the relationship. The adult child in a caregiver role may be caring for elderly parents, raising children of their own, and lack the emotional financial, or physical ability to provide adequate care. The adult child may have been a victim of abuse as a child and are now responsible to provide care to this same parent.

Why would one not want to report elder abuse? Typically various forms of abuse will not be reported due to shame on the elder’s part for falling prey to such an insidious act. Fear of reprisal is another common factor.. There are also some elders who believe they are responsible for the abuse, a theme which is also found in cases with domestic violence.

Reporting Elder Abuse in Berkshire Court

There is an Elder Abuse Hotline, 1-800-922-2275 that can be accessed 24 hours per day, 7 days per week by anyone who wants to report abuse or neglect. Elder Services, 413-499-0524, 1-800-544-5242 is the local protective services agency where abuse can be reported during normal business hours.

A protective services worker is assigned to investigate when a report is made, and will make contact with the elder. In an emergency situation an elder may be seen within five hours, in less threatening situations the elder will usually be seen within 5 days. Elder Services recognizes and respects an elder’s right to autonomy in which the elder is contacted before anyone else to assess decision -making ability and their right to refuse.

A protective services worker in the course of the investigation will contact the elder, and with their permission, contact any collateral persons necessary such as family, physician, banks, and police. When is has been substantiated that abuse exists, the elder will meet with the protective services worker to determine what services might be needed to alleviate the abuse or neglect. These might include legal counseling, home care services, meals on wheels, counseling, and VNA services.

Reports should be made to protective services if one has reasonable cause to believe that an abusive act took place, or an abusive condition probably exists. When a protective services worker completes a report and determines the allegations are unsubstantiated the report is expunged in 90 days.

When financial exploitation cases are substantiated the law requires that reports are made to the District Attorney’s office for prosecution of the alleged perpetrator.

The most important fact regarding elder abuse is that there is support available in your community if you are the victim of abuse, or you know of someone being abused. These service are available free of charge and are confidential.