Elderly Abuse: The Hidden Shame

As we age we look forward to the rewards that the Golden Years bring. In some cases the Golden Years turn into a nightmare. There are some people when they age not as fortunate as others and are wide open to elderly abuse, This can come in the form of friends, care givers, hired home help, staff that works in institutions and most heartbreaking of all from family members. Abuse can come in the form of emotional, neglect and physical abuse and is kept close to the elderly heart due to the shame of the circumstances.

Although most of the elderly in our world today is cared for with love, patience and understanding there are those that suffer greatly at the hands of an abuser. If it is a family member the person may be ashamed to let outsiders know what is happening to them and the abuse continues.

Neglect

Neglect can come in two forms. One of these are active neglect where the care giver holds the basic necessities from the elderly person. the other form of neglect is passive neglect where the care givers due to lack of information don’t give proper care to the elderly person they are suppose to be taking care of.

Signs of neglect can become very obvious where the elderly person shows signs of that very neglect. An elderly person can suffer from malnutrition and dehydration which leads to many medical problems. The elderly person may also show outward signs of neglect by looking unkempt, dirty and shabby clothing. Another form of neglect is holding back needed medication from an elderly person while their lives may quiet literally be depending on it.Leaving an elderly person alone for extended periods of time or limiting their movements is another part of neglect.

Emotional abuse

Signs of emotional abuse is very easy to spot as the elderly person shows fear around the person that is abusing them. This kind of emotional abuse may cause the elderly person to withdraw from society  and activities they once enjoyed. The person that is receiving the abuse may become very passive with all people that they know and have very low esteem. Abusers may demand money from an elderly person, so much so that the elderly person has nothing left to live on or care for themselves.

Emotional abuse can come in such forms as treating the person like a child. Even though the elderly person is still very competent to take care of their own affairs these are usually taken from them by the abuser and all the decision making power is taken away. Some abusers find ways to torture their elderly parents by denying them access to their other children or grandchildren and even their friends.

Physical abuse

Perhaps physical abuse is the saddest of all the abuses. This can be seen in the elderly in unexplained injuries in the form of bruises, burns or unexplained swelling on the body.Physical abuse usually leaves the abused shying away from medical help due to the way their received their medical problem. Even when they do seek medical help the explanation they give does not always coincide with the bruise or swelling they are experiencing.

Some examples of physical abuse can be received by kicking, pinching, pushing, kicking and slapping to mention just a few. The abuse may rough handle the elderly leaving grab marks on the arms of the elderly person. The abuse usually continues as the abuser becomes more domineering leaving the elderly person to ashamed or afraid to tell the outside world of the misery they live in.

For those that are unfortunate enough to live under the hands of an abuser there are places you can seek help. Somewhere in your community there are Senior centers that are there to help. Talk to someone in your church community or someone you can trust. Abuse don’t just go away you must help yourself by speaking up. There are many people in your community willing to help you and place you far away from your abuser so you can start living again. If you know an elderly person that you suspect is being abused in your community seek help for them. Abuse will only stopped when it is confronted and brought out in the open.