Page 4 - PGA Community News - September '19

Page 4, PGA C.A.N.! September 2019 September 2019

The Three Faces Of Elder Abuse

By Jeff Scribner, PGA National Resident employers to screen employees in other states where they Older adults have been there for us, now it’s our turn
Each day over 10,000 baby-boomers turn 65. Of those may have lived or worked. to be there for them. A recent New York State Elder Abuse
who reach this milestone, one in five will be the victim of A 2012 study published in the Journal of the American Prevalence Study revealed that for every case of elder abuse
elder abuse. In almost 60 percent of elder abuse and neglect Geriatrics Society found that less than a third of home-care reported approximately 24 cases go undetected. Based on this
incidents, the perpetrator is a family member. Two-thirds agencies screened their employees for illegal drug use. study and the findings of numerous other studies, elder abuse
of those are adult children or spouses. Emotional Abuse is a much bigger problem than what is being reported.
The three major types of elder abuse are financial abuse, Many elderly persons feel detached from their family, What Is Being Done To Combat This Growing Issue?
physical abuse, and emotional abuse. friends, or their community for numerous reasons. Some On a national level the Patient Protection and Affordable
Financial Abuse feel alone due to their physical health which may limit Care Act (PPACA) was enacted (March 23, 2010) establishing
Elder financial abuse and fraud cost older Americans their mobility, while others may feel psychologically for the first time the Elder Justice Act, which authorized
$36.5 billion per year (National Center on Elder Abuse isolated because they perceive themselves as a burden or targeted federal funds to be used to fight elder abuse. This
website). A study conducted by Investor Protection Trust not wanted by their family and/or friends. piece of legislation established a national leadership role
found that nearly one in five Americans over the age of The feeling of isolation does not happen overnight. It within the United States Department of Health and Human
65 has been a victim of financial fraud. These victims on usually takes place over time due to a decreased change Services (HHS), while at the same time rendering grants
average experienced a $30,000 loss. in physical and/or mental health. In addition, the loss of and other financial resources to the Medicare and Medicaid
The National Center on Elder Abuse (NCEA) a spouse or loved one can also increase the feeling of programs to increase prevention efforts.
reported an estimated 21,427 substantiated cases of isolation. In the private sector, there are hundreds of entities that are
financial or material exploitation of an older adult. This Emotional support is very important to older Americans. providing education, funding, volunteers and other resources
accounts for approximately one-third of all substantiated • 17 percent of adults aged 65 and older are isolated. in order to stem the tide of elder abuse. AARP, the American
elder abuse cases, including physical and sexual abuse and • 26 percent increase risk of death due to subjective Society on Aging (ASA), and the National Center on Elder
neglect. In addition, the NCEA estimated that 20 percent of feeling of loneliness. Abuse are just a few organizations that provide a myriad of
elder abuse victims were victims of financial exploitation. • 51 percent of the people over the age of 75 live alone. resources regarding elder abuse.
Most elderly victims do not report fraud because they Isolation is a growing health concern. The time has come for everyone to take a role in this
feel ashamed, or they fear others will think they cannot • More than 8 million adults age 50 and older are important battle. Do not wait to join the fight, because if
care for themselves, which may cause placement in a affected by isolation. society decides not to get involved then we will all be exposed
nursing home or long-term care facility. Many victims of • The health risks of prolonged isolation are equivalent to the three faces of elder abuse.
financial exploitation know their offender and may feel to smoking 15 cigarettes a day. AssureMom.com was founded by Jeffrey Scribner, a
protective of them. These victims may want the behavior In China, there is a law that requires families to take former special agent responsible for investigating patient
to end and recover their losses; however, they do not want care of anyone in their immediate family over the age of abuse, healthcare fraud and financial crimes affecting the
the offender punished. In addition, many of the victims 60. While in the United States we have no such law per se, elder population. Scribner’s vision is to provide physical,
believe they are at least partially to blame. we as a society should care for our elders because in the financial and emotional support for older Americans in their
Physical Abuse end not doing so is not an option! Remember, the only thing respective communities. For more information contact Jeff
Almost 10 million adults age 65 and older receive care that separates a millennial from a baby boomer is time. Scribner at jscribner@assuremom.com or (215) 208-0585.
at home or in residential care settings other than nursing
homes. This number is projected to increase dramatically
as the 65-plus population rises from 40 million today to Summer Weekly Specials
more than 70 million in 2030 (U.S. Census Bureau, 2014).
Elders who have been abused have a 300 percent MONDAYS CLOSED FOR THE SUMMER SEASON
higher risk of death when compared to those who have Tuesday Wednesday Pizza Thursday & Sunday
not been mistreated. (National Council on Aging website).
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