Bethel United Methodist Church
129 W. 4th Street, Lewes, DE 19958 ~ (302) 645-9426
 

Health Ministry

ELDER ABUSE

            Throughout the world, abuse and neglect of older persons is largely under-recognized or treated as an unspoken problem.  Unfortunately, no community in the world is immune from this costly public health and human rights crisis.  As is the case with violence against children, there is no single, reliable cause of elder abuse, neglect or exploitation.  There are several key risk factors that make incidents of violence against elderly more likely.  One of these is caregiver stress or isolation.  Caregivers who are severely stressed and have little social support are more likely than others to commit acts of violence against the elderly.

            Additionally, caregivers who were abused, neglected or exploited when they were children are much more likely than other caregivers to victimize their own elderly parents.  Spouses who were abused will retaliate against partners who had abused them.  The use of alcohol and other disinhibiting substances have also been linked to known cases of elderly abuse.  Some caregivers, especially those attempting to care for their own elderly parents, find it difficult to cope as they observe once-capable adults become increasingly impaired.

            Some indicators of elder victimization include:

?                     Unexplained bruises, cuts, other marks

?                     Sudden or extreme weight loss

?                     Inadequate or inappropriate dress

?                     Social withdrawal

?                     Showing signs of shame or secretiveness

?                     Financial difficulties

            Elderly abuse should be reported by anyone aware of an elderly person at risk.  The appropriate public agency in Delaware is the Adult Protective Services program of Delaware Health and Social Services.  This agency investigates reports of abuse, neglect or exploitation of physically and/or mentally impaired adults, age 18 and over.  Referrals can be made anonymously and confidentiality is strictly enforced.  The Kent and Sussex Counties number is 422-1386.

            Those caring for elderly persons need to know that help is available and that asking for help is a sign of strength, not weakness.  Help is available through the Interfaith Volunteer Caregivers, the Faith in Action program for Delaware.  This agency provides services including befriending, lay counseling, homemaking assistance, medical transportation, referral agency, respite care and telephone reassurance.  In Southeastern Sussex County their number is 732-3371, and in Northeastern Sussex/Cape Henlopen: 644-4033.

            There are two additional agencies. The first is Aging Parents, an awareness and educational program designed to help individuals and families prepare for the challenges of caring for older parents and other aging relatives.  They can be reached through the Delaware Ecumenical Council at (302) 225-1040 or at deccf@aol.com.

            The second is CARE DELAWARE, a statewide program of services for caregivers caring for frail older persons and older relative caregivers.  Services include daily and short-term respite care, training, support groups, individual needs assessments, care planning, and helpful information for caregivers.  They can be reached at 1-800-464-HELP (1-800-464-4357) or visit www.dsaapd.com.  This is the web site of Delaware’s State office on aging, the Division of Services for Aging and Adults with Physical Disabilities.

Excerpted with permission from IN FAITH & HEALTH, Delaware Ecumenical Council on Children and Families Newsletter, Vol. 8, No. 3