Webinar shines light on elder abuse

THE GORGE — She was a retired Ph.D. professor in good health. She lived independently and was in full control of her own faculties. Yet, this elderly woman was still a victim of abuse, according to Donna Delikat, of Oregon Adult Protective Services, who hosted an online webinar about elder abuse on July 28.

According to the World Health Organization, one in six elderly adults will suffer some form of abuse. Elder abuse occurs in both institutional settings and community settings, when older adults live at home or with family, and consists of five general types. In order of frequency from most common to least common, they are: psychological, financial, neglect, physical, and sexual. Sadly, family members are the single largest abuser group, she said.

Psychological abuse, the most common, typically consists of a caregiver yelling at, cursing at, or arguing with an older adult. It can also include ignoring the person or denying them access to loved ones. Financial abuse usually involves a scam. Elderly adults are particularly vulnerable to financial scams, particularly involving technology. The woman mentioned earlier paid $300 for a credit card protection plan even though she did not have a credit card, intimidated by the callers’ tenacity and lies. Family members can also easily get control of an older adult’s finances, she said.

Neglect can include failing to provide basic care, but it also refers to self-neglect. A person living with 30 cats may be living independently, but may not be able to maintain a healthy living environment, she said. People who choose to go off medications may also suffer due to self-neglect.

The signs of abuse vary based on the nature of the abuse. Physical abuse may leave bruises or abrasions; psychological abuse might be indicated by depression, withdrawal, or frequent arguments with the caregiver. Financial abuse is harder to identify and may not be discovered until it’s too late to recover the funds. Older adults who are especially vulnerable are those who suffer from mental illness or dementia.

The webinar featured several staff from Adult Protective Services (APS) of Oregon. A regular theme was that APS cannot remove someone from a residence, or interfere legally with anyone’s living plan. Abuse suspicions can be reported to APS, which will investigate and provide support for the person and family involved.

If you suspect abuse of an older adult, you may report it to the APS hotline at 855-503-7233.