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Elderly
abuse isn't all black and blue
BLUFFTON:
Most local cases are neglect and financial exploitation.
When many people think of abuse - if they think of it all - they might
first picture a mother or father beating a child.
When they hear of domestic violence, they may imagine a healthy husband
beating his young wife.
Neglect may call to mind images of a dirty baby, suffering from poor
nutrition and little supervision.
But sometimes, it's all backward.
Sometimes it's elderly parents helpless in the hands of their grown
children. Sometimes it's a feeble man who is mistreated at the hands of
his healthier wife. And all too often, the neglected are the older
generation, living their final years in the care of relatives who aren't
equipped or don't know how to handle an elder's basic needs.
As each generation lives longer and longer, more older people are turning
to their offspring for care. Much of the time, the solution is best for
all. But sometimes, both groups suffer.
Across the nation, groups have turned their attention to awareness of
elderly abuse. Some statistics are startling. Some studies estimate elder
abuse affects as little as 1 percent and as much as 10 percent of the
senior population. Others have found the problem is even more widespread.
And the National Elder Abuse Incidence Study, for the Administration on
Aging and the Administration for Children and Families, says reported
cases are only the "tip of the iceberg." It estimates 500,000
older people in domestic settings were newly abused, neglected, exploited
or experienced self-neglect in 1996 and says for every case reported, five
probably go unreported.
The news in Beaufort County is better.
Lt. Eva Campbell of the Beaufort County Sheriff's Office said in her 27
years with the department, she can't recall one substantiated case of an
elderly person beaten by caregivers.
"Thank God we don't" get those cases, she said. "I hope we
don't start getting them."
But that doesn't mean that Beaufort County seniors don't face their share
of problems.
Between June and December, Campbell investigated 32 reports of elder
abuse.
Elder abuse can be defined as physical abuse, sexual abuse, neglect,
abandonment or financial exploitation.
Just because possible abuse is reported, doesn't mean it is substantiated,
she said. Some concerned relatives or caseworkers report injuries or
bruises that are later explained. Sometimes an elderly person tries to do
more than they are capable of and may hurt or bruise themselves.
The majority of cases reported to the Beaufort County Sheriff's Office
involved concerns that an elderly person was being neglected or
financially exploited.
Sometimes the concerns are justified and Campbell and social service
workers try to help. In most cases, a family caregiver just doesn't know
what services are available and doesn't mean to neglect an elder's health.
With a visit from a deputy and social services worker, matters often shape
up and future problems can be dealt with if needed, she said.
Sometimes, the target is an elder's money.
Deputies charged three people with financially exploiting elders last
year, Campbell said.
Gale Gardner, program information coordinator for the Department of Social
Services in Beaufort, said 15 percent of Beaufort County's total
population is 65 or older. Last year, 53 percent of elder abuse cases were
substantiated, she said. Most were neglect and some were self-neglect.
Many seniors also don't know about the support services available to them,
which include housecleaning services, some meals, transportation and
clothing assistance, she said.
Anyone who suspects elderly abuse can contact the Beaufort County
Sheriff's Office at 470-3200.
Reporter Stephanie Broadbent can be reached at 837-5255, ext. 110, or at stephanie@lowcountrynow.com
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