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Creating a more caring community for the elderly
Cathy Peterson, the BEE
November 20, 2003
Concerned by an increase in reported cases of elder abuse and neglect in Wisconsin, teams were organized by county agencies that work with the elderly. Price County Aging Unit Manager Barb Lofthus and Human Services Long-Term Unit Social Worker James McNamee are the lead persons on the county's "I" team.
McNamee and Lofthus are members of Price County's interdisciplinary team. Other members of the team include county corporation counsel Susan Gunderson, county domestic abuse outreach office coordinator Andrea Jean, county veterans service officer Ted Harvey, and county long-term support supervisor Kathy Billek.
Loftus said Price County District Attorney Mark Fuhr has been asked to join the team. She said a representative from a financial institution, a member of the clergy, a law enforcement official and a health care provider are also being sought for the team.
Although there have been few cases of elder abuse in Price County, the county has a growing percentage of people age 60 or older. Any abuse of this population, whether physical, material, neglect or self-neglect, is considered elder abuse as defined by Wisconsin Statues (Ch.46.90).
"It shouldn't hurt to grow old and people should be able to live out their lives in an enjoyable and safe situation," Lofthus said. "There have not been many reported cases of elder abuse in the county, but we need to be prepared."
State law requires counties to respond to reports of elder abuse but respects an individual's right to self-determination. While competent adults have the right to decide where and how they want to live and may refuse intervention on their behalf, help is available if it is wanted or needed, Lofthus said.
Some time ago, the Price County Department of Human Services and Aging Unit developed an informational brochure regarding elder abuse. The purpose of the brochure was to provide guidelines, understanding and insights on elder abuse: what it is, why it happens and what are the signs.
The brochure also explained what happens when elder abuse is reported, what is included in an elder abuse investigation and what are the rights older people have if they have been reported as abused.
Producing the brochure and forming the "I" team were two ways the county is addressing the issue. Situations involving elder abuse are sad and should make others indignant, according to McNamee.
"Abuse of any sort toward vulnerable people including children, the disabled and the elderly, is wrong," he said. "No one deserves to be exploited because they are weaker or dependent on others."
McNamee said the county agencies involved with elder care have been working to "convey a message of creating a community that is kind, caring and compassionate toward others." He noted that physical and mental abuse and neglect of the elderly is the exact opposite of the world everyone wants to live in.
"Depending on the action of each person, their family and the world can be a better or a worse place," he said. "Put yourself in the place of someone less fortunate and imagine how you would want to be treated. Abuse is wrong and must stop."
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© 2002 Global Action on Aging
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