The U.S. Department of Justice estimates that every year more than 10% of those 65 and over experience some form of elder abuse – an intentional or negligent act that harms or creates serious risk of harm to an older adult.
It’s a startling statistic -- and likely a severely underreported crime -- one Rice County Social Services is highlighting during Elder Abuse Awareness Month.
Maltreatment of older and vulnerable adults comes in many forms, including physical, emotional and sexual abuse; caregiver neglect and self neglect; and financial exploitation. The effects of maltreatment can be devastating and can result in premature death, deterioration of physical and emotional health, serious financial hardship and more.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, from 2002-16, more than 643,000 older adults were treated in the emergency department for nonfatal assaults; over 19,000 homicides occurred.
The number of vulnerable and older adults, often victimized because they are disabled and trust their caregivers, is unfortunately expected to rise as the nation’s population ages. The U.S. Census reported that 16.8% of Americans were 65 and over, and that the number of Americans age 65 and older is projected to nearly double from 52 million in 2018 to 95 million in 2060.
No two cases of elder and vulnerable adult maltreatment look alike. Signs of abuse and neglect can include:
• Weight loss or dehydration
• Unexplained injuries
• Unsanitary living conditions and poor hygiene
• Unmet medical needs
• Isolation or withdrawal from normal activities
• Changes in behavior
• Increased anxiety or fear
• Unpaid bills
• Unusual changes in spending patterns
Scams are an extremely common type of financial exploitation and have become increasingly common in recent months with some using the names of Rice County law enforcement to attempt to gain potential victims’ trust. Even people who are not vulnerable adults can fall victim to scammers who are highly skilled at targeting vulnerabilities and using manipulation tactics.
Common tactics used by scammers:
• Pretend to be from a known organization (IRS, SSA, Medicare, utility company) and use technology to alter the phone number that appears on your caller ID.
• Say there’s a problem -- you owe money; there’s a family emergency, a virus on your computer or problem with your bank account; you’ve won a prize but must pay a fee to claim it.
• Pressure you to act immediately -- before you have time to think it through.
Tips for avoiding scams:
• Block unwanted calls and text messages.
• Never give your personal or financial information in response to a request you did not expect
• Resist the pressure to act immediately.
• Know how scammers operate -- never pay someone who insists that you can only pay with cryptocurrency, a wire transfer service, gift card or payment app.
• Speak with a trusted friend or family member or call law enforcement if something seems suspicious.
If you suspect an older or vulnerable person you know is a victim of abuse, neglect or financial exploitation, contact the Minnesota Adult Abuse Reporting Center. MAARC is available 24/7 at 844-880-1574.
You do not need to be certain that abuse or neglect is occurring in order to file a report; a person who makes a good faith report is immune from any civil or criminal liability.
“Protecting vulnerable adults from maltreatment is a collective responsibility — our team relies on community members to file reports when they notice something concerning,” said Hannah Davidson, Rice County Adult Mental Health/Adult Protection supervisor. Then, if the report meets criteria, our team of dedicated Adult Protection social workers will follow up with the adult to provide individualized support including home visits, safety planning and resource referrals.
“Together we can prevent harm, preserve dignity and show compassion for our most vulnerable neighbors.” -- Hannah Davidson is Rice County’s Adult Mental Health/Adult Protection supervisor. Reach her at hannah.davidson@ricecountymn.gov.
