Protect seniors by knowing the risk factors for elder abuse.Providing the helping hand that empowers seniors to stay happy, healthy, and independent is the mission of not only Stowell Associates’ professional senior care staff, but of each and every family caregiver who has ever assisted a loved one. Since the health and happiness of seniors is so important to us, it’s imperative that we review a topic that can be difficult for many of us to even take into consideration – elder abuse.
The CDC shares that nearly 500,000 older adults are neglected or abused every year in the United States. And, numerous other elder abuse instances are believed to go unreported each year, which is why it’s important for family members to be tuned in to possible abuse risks.
Below are several of the risk factors associated with elder abuse:
- Dependency on others: Older individuals who need others for care are frequently hesitant to speak up about any abuse since they may feel unsafe or that their care needs will not be able to be met by others if the abuser is reported.
- Diminished physical health and mobility: Dementia, Alzheimer’s or other health conditions may increase an older adult’s chance of being abused as the person may not be capable of detailing or verbalizing the abuse.
- History of abuse: If the older person was abusive as a parent, there is an enhanced chance of elder abuse, especially if an adult child who was abused by the senior is the main care provider.
- Social isolation: Social isolation typically results when a senior loses his/her spouse or lives far away from family and friends, and it can set up the perfect setting for elder abuse. Abusers quite often try to keep older adults isolated by:
- Refusing to find economic aid or services
- Resisting outside assistance
- Changing health care and social providers on a regular basis to make it challenging to assess the older adult’s health status
- Limiting contact with the elder
- Family caregiver burnout or stress: Stressed caregivers can become depressed, causing them to lash out at the seniors in their care.
If a loved one is currently being cared for by a friend, family member, or other caregiver, be mindful of these risk factors, visit or call as often as possible to evaluate the senior’s health, and play an active role in his or her care.
At Stowell Associates, the senior care Waukesha County leaders, we realize how important a senior loved one’s safety and health are, and we always take the necessary measures to ensure we provide the very best care. Each and every member of our senior care team has passed a thorough background check, reference checks, and a personal interview to ensure they meet our high care requirements. Contact our care managers today in Milwaukee at 414.963.2600 and in Waukesha at 262.521.3016 to learn more about our exceptional home care services.
