Combatting Elder Abuse: It’s About Dignity
Reading Time: 2 MinutesLast Updated: August 19, 2021
This Saturday is World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD), when people all over the world voice support for the rights and dignity of elders and opposition to the abuse, neglect, and exploitation of older adults.
WEAAD is part of a global movement for “elder justice” that asserts the fundamental dignity and equality of older adults. Elder justice requires us to develop systems, approaches, and programs that prevent abuse, protect people from abusive situations, and support those members of our community who have experienced abuse to help them recover.
Abuse, neglect, and financial exploitation are not the inevitable consequences of growing old. We all have a role to play in changing how we talk about elder abuse in this country and around the world. Respecting the dignity and rights of people of all ages is a core American value, and a principle built into many American laws. For example:
- The Elder Justice Act established programs and initiatives to strengthen the federal response to elder abuse, promote elder justice research, and support state Adult Protective Services (APS) systems. If you suspect elder abuse, neglect, or exploitation, contact your local APS office.
- The Older Americans Act (OAA) created programs and services that help older adults stay healthy and engaged in our communities. You can connect to nutrition, caregiver support, legal assistance, and other OAA programs through Eldercare Locator or by calling 800-677-1116.
- The Nursing Home Reform Act established a “Resident’s Bill of Rights” for people in most long-term care facilities. It includes the right to privacy, to participate in all aspects of care, to complain without retribution, and to visits from friends and medical providers. If you believe your rights, or the rights of a loved one in a long-term care facility, are being violated, contact your local Long-Term Care Ombudsman.
- The Americans with Disabilities Act protects the civil rights of people with disabilities of all ages and helps make our communities more accessible and age-friendly. State Protection and Advocacy agencies inform and empower people with disabilities by investigating suspected abuse and neglect, and providing free legal representation and support for clients.
Our society is like a building. Just as buildings need strong supports and secure beams to remain strong, our society needs solid “social” beams so that we can all participate fully in our communities, living free from abuse as we age. As we commemorate World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, I hope you will join me in lifting up the voices of survivors, and taking action, such as engaging with the older people in your life, empowering members of your community with information, involving students and young people, or by speaking out.
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Linda. W.
My
Mom was in a home, I called so much that they , the state of Texas, called me to ask me question. Received a bill, monthly charge, after she left us it was at least one year. My mother was a great bookkeeper . I called one time , no more. Billl. I wish I still had her. But I don’t . My time is coming, Surely my kids will say something if I show a sign of being abused. I think most kids care but don’t know their rights.
carols
Hello,
Passing on some advice for family and friends of an indigent senior. DO NOT IDENTIFY YOURSELF AS “THE RESPONSIBLE PERSON” ON BEHALF OF THE SENIOR. Watch carefully what you sign for on behalf of the senior. You should limit your relationship to “NEXT OF KIN” only.
Sue D.
I’m 68 and have nothing left….helped anyone that needed it…I took care of my Mother for the last 8 years of her life and then moved on to help my Son and his children…NOW I don’t have anything left except $724.00 per month from SS. And you guessed it he’s trying to throw me out…doest care if I’m on the street. So yes I will be homeless with several chronic illnesses. I know nothing can be done to help me in this situation…so I’m just looking forward to the end…truelly…God bless
Nora A.
Older people, starting approximately in their forties, are abused when laid off simply for being older and earning larger benefits and paychecks. Insurance companies charge employers high premiums for covering older employees so employers hire few if not any older workers. It’s almost impossible to get another full-time job but part-time, minimum wage jobs without benefits are possible. Unfortunately, p/t paychecks do not cover food, clothing and shelter like f/t paychecks. This is when loss of home and homelessness usually takes place for older citizens. Many older Americans have lost their homes due to unemployment. Couple this with neglect from some children and the older citizen suffers even greater abuse. Many elderly are isolated, on their own, and must subsist on State and Federal programs.
carols
Hello,
Please contact your state Area Agency on Aging. This program was created by the federal Older Americans Act. They have many food, caregiver, and support programs for qualifying seniors.
DR M.
Thank you for calling out she devils and wanna be warlocks for mistreating our elderly! Let them know someone is on the watch 24/7 and they will be prosecuted somehow-someway, someday!
Linda
It is appalling how when you get older people don’t care anymore! Like you are already dead! Please do everything you can! If it wasn’t for older people younger people wouldn’t be here to treat you bad. Thank you
Jeff G.
Financial elder abuse will increase dramatically as insurance companies force our elders to give up their long term care due to the crushing premium increases they are receiving. The insurance companies and our states departments of insurance have failed to mitigate
the financial problems the insurance companies created.
There are about 600,000 policies in California alone. Shameful
carols
Please check out and follow the current CalPers LTC lawsuit against the CalPers insurance company that promised to keep payments at the sign up level and then increased them 85% after selling thousands of policies.
Patsy T.
I am an 81 yr old abused senior citizen. Abused by my family, and most certainly by society , from scams. One that is disturbing me at the moment is a car maintianeous contract that turned out to be fraudulent and I reported it to the Atty.Gen. of Mo.,the St. of the contract issued (Via Ph.) in. I received word from Atty Gen . about 2 months ago, that the company had agreed to reimburse me $1470.00 of $1962.00 I have already paid the Co., and still have not gotten my refund – maybe because I resisted to being scammed out of $491.55 plus a $50.00 cancelation fee. They knew the contract was fraudulent when they sold it to me (I resistantly signed up for the contract because they were constantly calling me on the telephone, and were really getting on my nerves.). I do not believe they should be allowed to hold on to my entire $1962.38 payments submitted, with NO claims applied for . I received a note from the Atty. Gen. this week, stating they were going to contact the party again, but I needed to give them about another month to reply. I originally filed the complaint on Feb. 2, 2019. I believe they are still continuing to scam me!!
If you believe you could be of service to me I would appreciate it if you would contact me.
I truly believe these people should be put out of business.
Patsy Tingley
pmting06@yahoo.com
P.S.
I would like to note that I am disabled now with severe knee problems, and my Dr. tells me Medicare has refused to assist me with payment for treatments. I sure could use this money now because I’ve been a working tax payer of 40 years, and still can’t collect on what I have worked for all these years!!! Of course, there have been many other disappointments and scammers in my life also, that I HAVE JUST HAD TO GET OVER IT!!
Patsy Tingley
pmting06@yahoo.com
Don F.
Additional resources for elder abuse
Bobby N.
Thank you for this helpful information, most of which I wasn’t aware existed. I’m 74 and am glad good folks like you head offices that helps the elderly!
Ann C.
Thank you, Bobby! Your thoughts are important to us and we’re pleased when feedback is positive. We try hard to provide the best possible service to our customers and your satisfaction is our reward.
Sally H.
Can age discrimination at work be considered elder abuse?
Anahid37@aol.com
I became a victim of elder abuse when I fell on school grounds, after ten successful years of employment with Los Angeles Unified School!
The whole school was performing below average. I was listed as an above average along with four other teachers!
Unfortunately I was 72 years old and was injured ! Had to be eliminated!
LAUSD did not spare anything to make me resign or disappear from this earth…hatred! Abuse, manipulation, ignorance, exclusion, suspension. Demeanor, negligence… and finally stealing my personal sick days to over my workers compensation sick days and stopping my health benefits as well as workers Comp. Benefits and threaten to resign or retire!
Without my knowledge barred me from employment while I was still workin until 2016 ( as I was being abused continuously) !
In March of 2019 finally, I was informed ‘You’ve been barred from employment since 2011!
Although I have not signed a resignation but I am considered as a retired employee! (I know it is illegal to fire an employee who is on WC!