WARSAW — October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month and Beaman Home officials remind community members that the annual Bingo for Beaman Home will take place Thursday evening, Oct. 15, at the Center Lake Pavilion in Warsaw. Doors open at 5:30. Advance tickets may be purchased at Beaman Home’s Outreach Center, 603 N. Parker St., by phoning (574) 703-0722, or by e-mailing [email protected]. All bingo proceeds benefit the programs and services of the Beaman Home.

Beaman Home has served victims of domestic violence and their families in this community since 1985 and provides periodic DV awareness information to our community.

According to Beaman Home’s president-elect Kathy Kostro most people do not realize that “elder abuse” is a form of domestic violence. The World Health Organization defines Elder Abuse as “a single or repeated act, or lack of appropriate action, occurring within any relationship where there is an expectation of trust which causes harm or distress to an older person. This type of violence constitutes a violation of human rights and includes physical sexual, psychological, emotional, financial and material abuse, abandonment, neglect and serious loss of dignity and respect.”

Indiana’s reports of elder abuse are increasing. Demographics show that 67.3 percent of abuse victims are female and the types of abuse reported are: neglect 59 percent, physical 16 percent, financial 12 percent, emotional 7 percent, and sexual 4 percent. Persons with dementia or other cognitive disorders are at a higher risk for abuse. Elderly people who are abused or neglected are three times more likely to die than those who are not abused. 

Neglect is a caretaker’s failure or refusal to meet the needs of an elderly person such as food, housing, clothing, personal hygiene, medical care and socialization.

Physical abuse includes rough handling, threats with a weapon, objects thrown at the elderly, elderly persons being pushed, grabbed, hit with a fist, slapped, kicked, force fed and improper use of restraints or medications.

Sexual abuse involves sexual contact that is forced, tricked, threatened or coerced on an elderly person including people who are unable to consent to a sexual act.

Emotional or psychological abuse includes verbal attacks which can include belittling and humiliation, or that create fear and anxiety, rejection, social isolation. This type of abuse includes denying the older person any participation in decision that affects their lives.

Financial exploitation consists of theft, fraud, unauthorized use of an elderly person’s money or property. Unfortunately many elderly people are manipulated to give away money and rewrite their wills to abusers. Experts are declaring that elder financial abuse will be the “Crime of the 21st Century” as the elder population increases.

The difference between elder abuse and other types of violence is that elder abuse is committed by a person or persons who are in a supposedly trusting relationship with the victim such as adult children, spouse, other relatives, or close family friends. Most of this abuse occurs in a home setting; approximately 80 percent of the elderly are cared for at home by their families. Researchers claim that some underlying causes of elder abuse include the helplessness of the person, the high level of violence in our society, family stress, substance abuse and poverty.

Elderly people living in nursing homes are not any safer than those living at home. Elder abuse victims are from every socioeconomic, racial, and religious background. People who become victims of elder abuse are often physically or mentally frail or impaired which increases their dependency of their care givers. The elderly abuse victim is most often a white female who lives with relatives and the abuse usually increases with age and the diminishment of mental faculties. Elderly persons who exhibit signs of aggressive behavior, dementia or Alzheimer’s have a higher incidence of abuse. These cases are usually under reported because the care giver would have to admit to the abuse. 

Experts agree that elder abuse is one of the most under recognized social problems in America.  It is estimated that the elderly population will increase from 41 million today to 66 million by 2030, which means that the elder abuse problem will continue to grow.

Physical signs of elder abuse include bruises, pressure marks, broken bones, tooth loss, burns, bruising around genital and breast areas. The elderly person may seem withdrawn and depressed.  Bedsores, poor hygiene, unusual weight loss, dehydration. Tense relationships and verbal confrontation between the elderly person and care taker can also be indicative of elder abuse. 

The problem of recognizing physical abuse signs are that many elderly people are frail and might have  balance issues causing them to fall breaking bones, or causing bruising. Many elderly may become depressed, withdrawn and neglect themselves due to dementia, Alzheimer’s or declining heath. 

How can we as a community help prevent elder abuse? Kostro suggests, “We must learn to listen to our elderly folks and their caregivers. Caregivers are challenged everyday with a very demanding and stressful job. Often times the caregiver suffers from more health problems than the elderly person.  Caregivers must learn to request help from family members. Enroll your loved one in an adult day care services so that you have a break from dealing with the elderly person. Make sure that you seek medical treatment for stress, depression, and routine medical care. Contact support groups of caregivers so that you can talk about your feelings.”

We must also report suspected elder abuse whether they are at home or in a nursing home. Contact Adult Protective Services at (574) 235-5092 or the state hotline (800) 992-6978. Adult Protective Services caseworkers are the first responders for elder abuse.