How to Spot Elder Abuse and Mistreatment- This slideshow represents a synopsis of information on the signs that an elder is being abused or mistreated systematically or by someone close to them. Following our attendance to the Elder Abuse Conference in NYC on June 5, 2013, my colleague and I developed a series of presentations to provide in our community to increase awareness of this important issue. We hope that this slideshow will help the community to understand and identify elder abuse or mistreatment.

1. HOW TO SPOT ELDER
ABUSE AND
MISTREATMENT
PRESENTED BY JNJ HOME HEALTHCARE INC.
WITH SUPPORT FROM COMMUNITY PARTNERS

2. "BY 2030 20% OF THE POPULATION WILL BE
ELDERLY. WITH THIS TREND COMES A SEGMENT
OF THE POPULATION THAT IS AT RISK FOR
ABUSE, NEGLECT, OR SELF-NEGLECT. WE ARE
CHALLENGED TO BE AWARE OF THE MANY
FACES OF ELDER MISTREATMENT AND TO
UNDERSTAND IT IN THE BROADER CONTEXT OF
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE.." (UC DENVER, 1)
- UC DENVER, HISTORY OF ELDER ABUSE AND NEGLECT

3. LEGISLATION ON ELDER ABUSE
OLDER AMERICANS ACT
VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN ACT
ELDER JUSTICE ACT
ELDER ABUSE VICTIMS ACT
LONG TERM CARE OMBUDSMAN ACT

4. NATIONAL ADVOCACY
ADMINISTRATION ON AGING (AOA)
NATIONAL COUNCIL ON ELDER ABUSE
(NCEA)
ELDER JUSTICE COALITION
NATIONAL COMMITTEE FOR THE
PREVENTION OF ELDER ABUSE
(NCPEA)

5. LOCAL ADVOCACY
NYC ELDER ABUSE CENTER
ADULT PROTECTIVE SERVICES
JASA LEAP BROOKLYN
JASA LEAP QUEENS
NEIGHBORHOOD SHOPP
RAIN
ELDER ABUSE TASK FORCES (DA's
OFFICES)

8. WHAT IS YOUR PROFESSION?
SOCIAL SERVICES HEALTHCARE FIELD
HUMAN SERVICES CLERGY LEADER
CASE MANAGEMENT ADMINISTRATION
SECURITY TRANSPORTATION

9. WORD ASSOCIATION: 'SENIOR' 'ELDER'
POSITIVE NEGATIVE
WISE DEPENDANT, NEEDS
ASSISTANCE
EXPERIENCED FRAIL, WEAK,
AILMENTS
ADVANCED NOT COMPETENT,
NEEDS DECISIONS
MADE
MEMORIES LOSS OF MEMORY

10. WORD ASSOCIATION: 'CAREGIVER'
POSITIVE NEGATIVE
WILLING, HEALTHY UNWILLING, FORCED,
BURDENED
CARING, CONCERNED SELF-INTERESTED,
STRESSED
DEPENDABLE,
RESPONSIBLE
DEPENDANT,
IRRESPONSIBLE

11. POTENTIAL FOR ELDER ABUSE
WHAT HAPPENS WHEN A CAREGIVER
IS DEPENDANT ON A SENIOR FOR
MONEY, HOUSING AND MORE?..
WHAT HAPPENS WHEN A CAREGIVER
HAS THE SOLE RESPONSIBILITY FOR
TAKING CARE OF AN ELDER WITH
LITTLE OR NO SUPPORT FOR THE
CARE AND THE EVERYDAY FACTS OF
LIFE?...

12. THE POTENTIAL FOR ELDER ABUSE
RISES SIGNIFICANTLY WHEN:
● CAREGIVER OR OTHER FAMILY MEMBERS ARE
DEPENDANT ON A SENIOR BUT ALSO
INFLUENCE OR CONTROL THE FACTS OF LIFE
SUCH AS FINANCES AND HOUSEHOLD
DECISIONS
● CAREGIVER FINDS THEIR ROLE STRESSFUL
WITH LITTLE RESPITE OR SUPPORT FROM
OTHERS
● ELDER IS SOCIALLY ISOLATED IN THEIR HOME
OR NURSING HOME WITH LITTLE OR NO
VISITS

13. SPAN OF ELDER ABUSE
CASES OF ELDER ABUSE OCCUR ACROSS RACE,
NATIONAL ORIGIN AND SEXUAL ORIENTATION.
HOWEVER MANY CULTURAL FACTORS CAN
FACILITATE ABUSES, AND CAUSE ABUSERS TO
FEEL THEY HAVE DONE NOTHING WRONG.
THAT IS WHY IT IS IMPORTANT TO EDUCATE
THE PUBLIC ABOUT ELDER ABUSE AND
INCREASE AWARENESS NATIONALLY AND
INTERNATIONALLY.

14. WHAT IS ELDER ABUSE?
ELDER ABUSE IS ANY FORM
OF MISTREATMENT THAT
RESULTS IN HARM OR LOSS
TO AN OLDER PERSON.

15. 1985 ELDER ABUSE PREVENTION
IDENTIFICATION AND TREATMENT
ACT
DEFINES ELDER ABUSE AS:
"THE WILLFUL INFLICTION OF INJURY,
UNREASONABLE CONFINEMENT, INTIMIDATION
OR CRUEL PUNISHMENT WITH RESULTING
PHYSICAL HARM OR PAIN OR MENTAL ANGUISH,
OR THE WILLFUL DEPRIVATION BY A
CARETAKER OF THE GOODS OR SERVICES
WHICH ARE NECESSARY TO AVOID PHYSICAL
HARM, MENTAL ANGUISH OR MENTAL ILLNESS"
- UC DENVER HISTORY OF ELDER ABUSE AND NEGLECT

16. FORMS OF ELDER ABUSE
PHYSICAL ABUSE..
IS FORCE THAT
RESULTS IN BODILY
INJURY, PAIN OR
IMPAIRMENT. IT
INCLUDES ASSAULT,
BATTERY, AND
INAPPROPRIATE
RESTRAINT.

17. FORMS OF ELDER ABUSE
SEXUAL ABUSE..
IS NON-CONSENSUAL
SEXUAL CONTACT OF ANY
KIND WITH AN OLDER
PERSON.

18. FORMS OF ELDER ABUSE
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE..
IS AN ESCALATING
PATTERN OF VIOLENCE BY
AN INTIMATE PARTNER
WHERE THE VIOLENCE IS
USED TO EXERCISE POWER
AND CONTROL.

19. FORMS OF ELDER ABUSE
PSYCHOLOGICAL ABUSE..
IS THE WILLFUL INFLICTION
OF MENTAL OR EMOTIONAL
ANGUISH BY THREAT,
HUMILIATION, OR OTHER
VERBAL OR NONVERBAL
CONDUCT.

20. FORMS OF ELDER ABUSE
FINANCIAL ABUSE..
IS THE ILLEGAL OR IMPROPER USE OF AN
OLDER PERSON'S FUNDS, PROPERTY, OR
RESOURCES.

21. FORMS OF ELDER ABUSE
NEGLECT..
IS THE FAILURE OF A
CAREGIVER TO FULFILL HIS
OR HER CAREGIVING
RESPONSIBILITIES
SELF NEGLECT..
IS FAILURE TO PROVIDE FOR
ONE'S OWN ESSENTIAL
NEEDS.

22. CASE STUDIES: COMMON TRAITS
ISOLATION OF THE ELDERLY INDIVIDUAL
RELUCTANCE TO REPORT OR ACKNOWLEDGE
FAMILY ABUSES
ELDERLY INDIVIDUAL IS RELUCTANT TO MAKE
CHANGES TO THEIR LIFE

23. CASE STUDIES: COMMON TRAITS
MAY NOT SEE A WAY OUT OR FEAR MORE
ABUSE IF THEY REPORT INCIDENCES
BELIEVES THAT THEY CAN CHANGE THE
BEHAVIOR OF THE ABUSER

24. ACCORDING TO THE AOA
'ELDERS WHO EXPERIENCED ABUSE, EVEN
MODEST ABUSE, HAD A 300% HIGHER RISK OF
DEATH WHEN COMPARED TO THOSE WHO HAD
NOT BEEN ABUSED..

25. ACCORDING TO THE AOA
"..IN ADDITION, OLDER ADULTS WHO
ARE VICTIMS OF VIOLENCE HAVE
ADDITIONAL HEALTHCARE PROBLEMS
THAN OTHER OLDER ADULTS,
INCLUDING INCREASED BONE OR
JOINT PROBLEMS, DIGESTIVE
PROBLEMS, DEPRESSION OR ANXIETY,
CHRONIC PAIN, HIGH BLOOD
PRESSURE, AND HEART PROBLEMS.'
- FROM ADMINISTRATION ON AGING

26. SOME RISK FACTORS
OLDER AGE AND DISABILITY
LACK OF ACCESS TO RESOURCES
INCOME
SOCIAL ISOLATION
MINORITY STATUS
- UC DENVER
HISTORY OF ELDER ABUSE
AND NEGLECT

27. ABUSERS PROFILES
"THE OVERWHELMED:
THIS GROUP IS WELL INTENTIONED AND
GENERALLY QUALIFIED TO PROVIDE CARE.
WHEN CARE NEEDS EXCEED WHAT THEY CAN
PROVIDE, THEY MAY ABUSE VERBALLY OR
PHYSICALLY. THEY DO NOT LOOK FOR
VICTIMS.."

28. ABUSERS PROFILES
"THE IMPAIRED:
THIS GROUPS IS WELL INTENTIONED BUT HAS
PROBLEMS THAT PREVENT THEM FROM
DELIVERING CARE. THESE CAREGIVERS MAY
SUFFER FROM MENTAL OR PHYSICAL PROBLEMS
THAT SERVE AS BARRIERS TO PROVIDING
ADEQUATE CARE.. NEGLECT IS MORE COMMON
IN THIS GROUP AND THEY MAY CONTROL THE
VICTIM THROUGH ABUSE."

29. ABUSERS PROFILES
"THE NARCISSISTIC:
THESE CAREGIVERS ENTER CAREGIVING
RELATIONSHIPS TO MEET THEIR OWN NEEDS.
THEY ARE MORE LIKELY TO STEAL FROM
SENIORS AND NEGLECT THEM. THEY SEE THE
RELATIONSHIP AS A MEANS TO AN END AND
MAY BE ATTRACTED TO NURSING HOMES OR
CENTERS WHERE THEY CAN ENTER INTO
RELATIONSHIPS WITH VULNERABLE ADULTS."

30. ABUSERS PROFILES
"THE DOMINEERING OR BULLYING:
THIS GROUP MAY FEEL ENTITLED TO EXERT
POWER AND AUTHORITY. THEY MAY HAVE
NARCISSISTIC TENDENCIES AND OFTEN FEEL
THE VICTIM DESERVED THE MALTREATMENT.
THIS TYPE OF OFFENDER IS PRONE TO
NEGLECT AND FINANCIAL ABUSE. THIS TYPE OF
OFFENDER MAY ENGAGE IN SEXUAL ABUSE."

31. ABUSERS PROFILES
"THE SADISTIC:
OFFENDERS OF THIS TYPE OFTEN HAVE
SOCIOPATHIC PERSONALITIES AND TAKE
PLEASURE IN THE MISTREATMENT OF THEIR
VICTIM. THEIR ABUSE OF OTHERS ALLOWS
THEM TO HAVE FEELINGS OF POWER AND
IMPORTANCE."
- PROFILES FROM UC DENVER
HISTORY OF ELDER ABUSE
AND NEGLECT

32. PREVENTION STRATEGIES
● KNOW YOUR RIGHTS! AS A PERSON, AS A
SENIOR, AS A CITIZEN. CHECK OUT THE
ADMINISTRATION ON AGING AT WWW.AOA.
ORG
● KNOW YOUR OPTIONS FOR LONG TERM
CARE, AGING IN THE HOME, AND OTHER
OPTIONS INCLUDING NURSING HOMES AND
ADULT LIVING FACILITIES IF NECESSARY.

33. PREVENTION
STRATEGIES
● LEARN ABOUT ELDER ABUSE AND
MISTREATMENT, KNOW HOW TO SPOT IT IN
THE LIVES OF FRIENDS AND PEOPLE YOU
CARE FOR
● KEEP A STRONG SUPPORT SYSTEM IN YOUR
LIFE..

34. PREVENTION STRATEGIES
● KEEP A BUDDY SYSTEM OF SENIOR FRIENDS
THAT CHECK ON EACH OTHER REGULARLY
● CHECK IN REGULARLY WITH FAMILY AND
FRIENDS THAT SUPPORT YOU AND CARE
● CHECK IN WITH YOUR FAITH ASSOCIATION,
PASTOR, RABBI, IMAM OR OTHER
CLERGYPERSON

35. PREVENTION STRATEGIES
● KEEP AN ACTIVE LIFESTYLE THAT PREVENTS
ISOLATION
● ATTEND YOUR LOCAL SENIOR CENTERS OR
ADULT DAY CARE FACILITY
● DONT FALL VICTIM TO COMMON SCAMS!..

36. PREVENTION STRATEGIES
● HAVE YOUR INCOME DIRECT DEPOSITED
INTO YOUR BANK ACCOUNT, INCLUDING
SOCIAL SECURITY
● PAY BY E-BILL OR USE A BILL PAYER SERVICE
OFFERED BY AARP OR AT YOUR SENIOR
CENTER OR CHURCH
● PLACE YOURSELF ON A 'DO NOT CALL'
REGISTRY AND DO NOT ACCEPT ANY OFFER
FOR PRIZES BY PHONE OR BY MAIL

37. PREVENTION STRATEGIES
● DO NOT PROVIDE YOUR PERSONAL
INFORMATION TO ANYONE OVER THE PHONE
UNLESS YOU KNOW WHO YOU ARE TALKING
TO
● SHRED YOUR PERSONAL DOCUMENTS AND
DO NOT LET THEM FALL INTO ANYONE'S
HANDS

38. SO WHAT CAN WE AS PROFESSIONALS
DO TO HELP?
● KNOW THE SIGNS OF ELDER
ABUSE
● HELP TO RAISE AWARENESS
OF ELDER ABUSE WITH
PEOPLE OF ALL AGES
● ACT AS A RESOURCE TO
ELDERS WHEN THEY MAY BE
ABUSED, AND KNOW HOW TO
GUIDE THEM TO FURTHER
ASSISTANCE

39. SO WHAT CAN CLERGY LEADERS DO
TO HELP?
● KNOW THE SIGNS OF ELDER
ABUSE
● HELP TO RAISE AWARENESS
WITH PEOPLE OF ALL AGES
IN THE FAITH COMMUNITY
● ACT AS A RESOURCE TO
ELDERS WHEN THEY MAY BE
ABUSED, AND KNOW HOW TO
GUIDE THEM TO FURTHER
ASSISTANCE

40. PREVENTION STRATEGIES
● RAISE ELDER ABUSE AWARENESS IN YOUR
CORNER BY HOSTING AN EVENT,
PRESENTATION AND/OR DISTRIBUTING
MATERIALS PROVIDED BY ELDER ABUSE
RESOURCES
FOR DISTRIBUTION MATERIALS
VISIT ADMINISTRATION ON AGING AT WWW.AOA.ORG

41. PREVENTION STRATEGIES
● EMPLOYERS CAN ACKNOWLEDGE THE
IMPORTANT ROLE OF FAMILY CAREGIVERS,
PROVIDE CAREGIVER SUPPORT GROUPS OR
RESPITE, AND EDUCATE STAFF ON ELDER
ABUSE AWARENESS

42. PREVENTION STRATEGIES
● CLERGY LEADERS CAN ACKNOWLEDGE THE
IMPORTANT ROLE OF FAMILY CAREGIVERS,
PROVIDE CAREGIVER SUPPORT GROUPS AND
EDUCATE ON ELDER ABUSE AWARENESS
ENCOURAGE
INTERGENERATIONAL
RESPECT THROUGH
MIXERS OR GROUP
ACTIVITIES

43. PREVENTION STRATEGIES
● PROVIDE SUPPORT GROUPS FOR SENIORS,
AND EDUCATE SENIORS ON THEIR RIGHTS
AND RESOURCES IN CASES OF ABUSE
● ENCOURAGE THE WORKPLACE
ENVIRONMENT TO BE SENSITIVE TO THE
NEEDS AND CONCERNS OF SENIORS, AND TO
AVOID THE PRACTICE OF AGEISM- WHICH IS
THE BIASED NEGATIVE VIEW OF THE AGED.

44. PREVENTION STRATEGIES
● PROVIDE SUPPORT GROUPS FOR SENIORS,
AND EDUCATE SENIORS ON THEIR RIGHTS
AND RESOURCES IN CASES OF ABUSE
● ENCOURAGE THE FAITH COMMUNITY TO BE
SENSITIVE TO THE NEEDS AND CONCERNS OF
SENIORS, AND TO AVOID THE PRACTICE OF
AGEISM- WHICH IS THE BIASED NEGATIVE
VIEW OF THE AGED.

45. RED FLAGS OF ELDER ABUSE
● CHANGES IN BEHAVIOR OR
ATTITUDE
● SUDDEN DEPRESSION
● UNCOMFORTABLE, TENSE OR
RESTRAINED COMMUNICATION
BETWEEN SENIOR AND THEIR
CAREGIVER

46. RED FLAGS OF ELDER ABUSE
● SENIOR HINTS AT BEING
ABUSED OR OPENLY TALKS
ABOUT IT, JOKES ABOUT IT OR
EVEN TAKES IT LIGHTLY
● CUTS, BRUISES OR INJURIES
THAT ARE OLD AND
UNEXPLAINED, UNTREATED

47. RED FLAGS OF ELDER ABUSE
● CAREGIVER SEEMS TO BE
UNABLE TO COPE WITH STRESS
● SUBSTANCE ABUSE OF EITHER
CAREGIVER OR SENIOR
● SENIOR IS UNABLE TO MAKE
ENDS MEET
● FINANCIAL PROBLEMS THAT DID
NOT PREVIOUSLY EXIST

48. INTERVENTION
STRATEGIES
IF YOU SUSPECT ABUSE, REPORT IT.
● REFERRAL TO ELDER ABUSE INTERVENTION
PROGRAMS INCLUDING ADULT PROTECTIVE
SERVICES, LOCAL COMMUNITY
INTERVENTION ORGANIZATIONS, OR THE
LOCAL DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S TASK FORCE
ON ELDER ABUSE

49. INTERVENTION STRATEGIES
● SEEK COUNSELING PRIVATELY WITHIN THE
FAITH COMMUNITY WITH A TRUSTED
ADVISOR OR CLERGYPERSON THAT HAS BEEN
TRAINED IN ELDER ABUSE AWARENESS
● JOIN SUPPORT GROUPS FOR ELDERS WITHIN
THE FAITH COMMUNITY

50. INTERVENTION STRATEGIES
● IN CASES OF IMMEDIATE DANGER CALL 911!
● PACK A BAG TO LEAVE IN CASE OF
EMERGENCY
● REACH OUT TO AN ELDER ABUSE
PROFESSIONAL TO HELP PLAN LIFESTYLE
CHANGES WHEN YOU'VE REACHED YOUR
LIMIT

51. INTERVENTION
STRATEGIES
● KEEP AN OPEN DOOR FOR THE ELDER, LET
THEM KNOW YOU ARE THERE AS A
CONFIDENTIAL SUPPORT AND THAT THEY DO
NOT DESERVE TO BE ABUSED OR
MISTREATED
● SOMETIMES IT WILL BE POSSIBLE TO HELP
THE PERSON UNDERSTAND CONSEQUENCES
TO NOT SEEKING HELP, FOR INSTANCE IN A
CASE OF FINANCIAL ABUSE- LOSS OF HOME
OR PROPERTY

52. CONCLUSION:
COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS HAVE A PIVOTAL
ROLE IN HELPING SENIORS IN THEIR
COMMUNITY FIND RESOURCES IN CASES OF
ABUSE.
ORGANIZATIONS CAN BE THE NECESSARY LINK
BETWEEN ELDER INDIVIDUALS AND THE
RESOURCES IN THEIR COMMUNITY.
PLEASE REFER TO THE BROCHURE INCLUDED
FOR MORE INFO ON ELDER ABUSE RESOURCES.

53. CONCLUSION:
FAITH LEADERS HAVE A PIVOTAL ROLE IN
HELPING SENIORS IN THEIR COMMUNITY FIND
RESOURCES IN CASES OF ABUSE.
CHURCHES, SYNAGOGUES, MOSQUES AND
OTHER FAITH COMMUNITIES CAN BE THE
NECESSARY LINK BETWEEN ELDER INDIVIDUALS
AND THE RESOURCES IN THEIR COMMUNITY.
PLEASE REFER TO THE BROCHURE INCLUDED
FOR MORE INFO ON ELDER ABUSE RESOURCES.

54. CONCLUSION:
NOBODY DESERVES TO BE ABUSED OR
MISTREATED IN ANY WAY.
IT IS IMPORTANT TO KNOW YOUR RESOURCES
AND OPTIONS IN CASE SOMETHING HAPPENS.
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
WWW.AOA.ORG

55. THANK YOU..
THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND WE
HOPE YOU HAVE FOUND THIS
PRESENTATION INFORMATIVE.

56. RESOURCES ON THE WEB
WWW.NYCEAC.ORG
WWW.INTERFAITHPARTNERS.ORG
WWW.AGELESSALLIANCE.ORG
WWW.PREVENTELDERABUSE.ORG
WWW.CENTERONELDERABUSE.ORG
WWW.NCEA.AOA.GOV
WWW.ELDERJUSTICECOALITION.COM

57. SOURCES
UNDER THE RADAR: NEW YORK STATE ELDER ABUSE
PREVALENCE STUDY. FINAL REPORT. LIFESPAN OF
GREATER ROCHESTER, WEILL CORNELL MEDICAL CENTER
OF CORNELL UNIVERSITY, NEW YORK CITY DEPARTMENT
FOR THE AGING. MAY 2011<OFCS.NY.GOV/MAIN/REPORTS
/UNDER%20THE%20RADAR%2005%2012%2011%20FINAL%
20REPORT.PDF>
OFFICE OF JUSTICE PROGRAMS FACT SHEET: ELDER ABUSE
AND MISTREATMENT. U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
OFFICE OF JUSTICE PROGRAMS. NOVEMBER 2011 <WWW.
OJP.USDOJ.GOV/NEWSROOM/FACTSHEETS/OJPFS_
ELDERABUSE.HTML

58. SOURCES
ELDER ABUSE: FIVE CASE STUDIES. TEXT OF 'THE GREAT
CIRCLE OF LIFE: A RESOURCE GUIDE TO FILMS AND VIDEOS
ON AGING.' ROBERT E. YAHNKE. UNIVERSITY OF
MINNESOTA. 2005 <WWW.TC.UMN.EDU/
~RYAHNKE/GREATCIRCLE/ELDER-ABUSE-INTRO.HTM>
COURSE CASE STUDIES: COURSE #9782- ELDER ABUSE:
CULTURAL CONTEXTS AND IMPLICATIONS. NETCE. JUNE
2013 <WWW.NETCE.COM/CASESTUDIES.PHP?
COURSEID=702>

59. SOURCES
RECOGNIZING AND REPORTING ELDER ABUSE. GERI K
METZGER. COMPLETE WELLNESS CENTER. 1 AUGUST 2009
<CERNER.HEALTHATOZ.
COM/ATOZ/HC/SEN/WELL/ELDERABUSE.ASP>
RECOGNIZING ELDER ABUSE... GINA M BARRY.
HEALTHCARE NEWS. MARCH 2009 <HEALTHCARENEWS.
COM/RECOGNIZING-ELDER-ABUSE-GRANDMAS-BROKEN-
GLASSES-AND-OTHER-SUBTLE-SIGNS-OF-TROUBLE/>

60. SOURCES
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT ELDER ABUSE AND
NEGLECT. NURSING HOME AND ELDER ABUSE LAW CENTER.
2007<WWW.NOELDERABUSE.COM/FAQ.HTML>
ELDER ABUSE AND NEGLECT.LAWRENCE ROBINSON, TINA
DE BENEDICTIS PHD, JEANNE SEGAL PHD. HELPGUIDE.ORG.
MAY 2013 <WWW.HELPGUIDE.
ORG/MENTAL/ELDER_ABUSE_PHYSICAL_EMOTIONAL_SEXU
AL_NEGLECT.HTM>