Elder abuse is defined as the physical, emotional or financial mistreatment and/or neglect of a person, 60 years of age or older by another person, such as a family member or caregiver. Victims of suspected elder abuse come from diverse ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds.

They may have been hurt by the violent act of another person, by intentional neglect, or because of their own frailty and inability to care for themselves. The specific categories of elder abuse are:

Physical Abuse

Any physical pain or injury, which is wilfully inflicted upon an elder by a person who has care or custody of, or who stands in a position of trust with that elder, constitutes physical abuse. This includes, but is not limited to, direct beatings, sexual assault, unreasonable physical restraint, and prolonged deprivation of food or water.

Financial Abuse

Any theft or misuse of an elder's money or property, by a person in a position of trust with an elder, constitutes financial abuse.

Psychological/Emotional Abuse

The wilful infliction of mental suffering by a person in a position of trust with an elder, constitutes psychological/emotional abuses. Examples of such abuse are: verbal assaults, threats, instilling fear, humiliation, intimidation, or isolation of an elder.

Neglect

The failure of any person having the care or custody of an elder to provide that degree of care, which a reasonable person in a like position would provide, constitutes neglect. This includes, but is not limited to:

a. Failure to assist in personal hygiene or the provision of clothing for an elder.

b. Failure to provide medical care for the physical amd mental health needs of an elder. This does not include instances in which an elder refuses treatment.

c. Failure to protect an elder from health and safety hazards.

Self-neglect Failure to provide for self through inattention. The identification of this type of case depends on assessing the elder's ability to choose a life-style versus a recent change in the elder's ability to manage.

Abandonment

Abandonment constitutes the desertion or wilful forsaking of an elder by any person having the care and custody of that elder, under circumstances in which a reasonable person would continue to provide care and custody.

Case Example

(The following story has been fabricated by PAC Counsellor Nina Jones.)

This story is about a client in her mid-seventies, who has no dependents. She sought the assistance of The Physical Abuse Centre because she was estranged from her family here in Bermuda (has one living relative in the US), is diabetic and has nowhere to go. She became desperate and is in a terrible crisis. The counsellor assessed the situation carefully, and determined that intervention was necessary, and this client surely needed accommodations. Consequently, the client was immediately admitted to the PAC "Safe House." The client was adamant about paying her way for staying at the shelter, therefore PAC assisted her with writing a letter to the Department of Social Insurance inquiring about whether she was receiving a government pension or not. She was unsure if she was and the amount. She wanted to obtain the information so that she could plan a budget for her living expenses and savings.

A few days later, she received the information she had asked for and came to the PAC office for further assessment. She talked about her life and how she was all-alone.

She stated that before she came to the shelter, she was living with a friend. She moved in with her friend a few months before, when one day she came home to find her belongings out in the driveway. She stood there in awe, until someone came along and asked if she was all right. That's how she ended up in our office, and the rest as they say "is history." To hear her tell it, she was staying in a small room, no bigger than my office with one window so high above the floor, she never opened it for fear she would hurt herself. Sometimes going for days without food, no-one to talk to, and wondering if she would awake to see the sunrise. Today, a few years later, the client still has nowhere to go, and we continue to look for a suitable placement for her. We all have grown to know and love her as if she were part of the family.

Each time I look at her, I can only imagine what her life must have been like - and to know that in some small way - The Physical Abuse Centre has added something more to her life. That is what this organisation stands for, and it makes what we do much more satisfying. As the songwriter says, "If I can help somebody, than my living shall not be in vain."

TO OUR READERS

If you are elderly and battered, remember:

a. You are not responsible for the violence. Your spouse or caregiver may tell you it is your fault, but the abuser is the only one responsible for the choice to batter.

b. You have the right to a safe, healthy relationship and to have your own life, free of violence.

c. You are not alone. There is support available. You can get help by calling The Physical Abuse Centre at 292 4366 during the hours of 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. or you can call our 24-hour help-line at 297 8278.

You can protect your safety by:

a. Establishing contacts with friends and family so you have a place to go in the event of an emergency.

b. Develop a safety plan in case you need to leave quickly.

c. Consider obtaining a restraining order to protect yourself.

Food for Thought:

Let's take care of our elders; didn't they take care of us?

Submitted by The Physical Abuse Centre