For far too long, elder abuse has primarily been considered a private issue, rather than a broader social, health, or criminal justice concern. While each of us individually has a responsibility to speak up when we see an older person at risk, Archstone Foundation strongly believes that it will take a concerted, collective response to finally eradicate elder abuse.
Each June, there is a national recognition of Elder Abuse Awareness Month, an important way to generate needed awareness around this issue. I was honored to participate in California’s kick-off event in Sacramento, and the Foundation was pleased to sponsor the event’s keynote address by Former Assistant Secretary for Aging and Administrator for the Administration for Community Living, Kathy Greenlee.
The United Nations also recognizes June 15 each year as World Elder Abuse Awareness Day. This year’s theme—"Lifting up Voices”—was especially appropriate. Because although much progress has been made, we must continue to amplify the concerns of many more people and many more groups in order to confront elder abuse.
The Work Ahead
As a complex issue that crosses numerous social service and disciplinary boundaries, any effort to end elder abuse requires strengthening the health and social support networks that allow all of us—from the youngest to the oldest and everyone in between—to live safe, secure, and fulfilling lives in our communities.
Archstone Foundation believes that, at its core, elder abuse is a social justice issue. As long as older people are subjected to mistreatment, abuse, and neglect, none of us can consider ourselves safe and secure as we age.
Those who prey on vulnerable older adults tear at the very fabric that binds our communities together. In California alone, there are an estimated 202,549 elder abuse cases reported each year. And for every reported case of elder abuse, 24 go unreported.
A Foundation Legacy Area
Archstone Foundation began its work in elder abuse and neglect more than a quarter century ago, at a time when the issue was little understood or even discussed.
Over the years, the Foundation has funded 130 projects totaling more than $16 million. Among the projects were the development of the Vulnerable Adult Specialist Teams, or VAST, which led to the creation of the Forensic Centers. Archstone Foundation also funded multidisciplinary teams, training and education for first responders, financial protections, ombudsman safeguards, and legal services to improve the quality of care and services for older adults.
In addition, the Foundation funded the first national conference on Elder Abuse and Neglect in the 1990’s and since then has supported emerging leaders and champions in the field. Archstone Foundation also funded the creation of the Center of Excellence on Elder Abuse and Neglect, which became the federally designated National Center on Elder Abuse.
We continue to support the work on Reframing Elder Abuse at the National Center on Elder Abuse in collaboration with the Frameworks Institute to disseminate an evidence-based communications strategy that frames elder abuse as a justice issue. It seeks to change the way we communicate about the issue and change perceptions of older adults, their many and varied contributions, and their needs.
Working Together to End Abuse
It is critical to recognize that we must all work together to finally rid society of this plague. As important as individual action is, it won’t be enough. Consider that the State of California recognizes eight types of abuse:
- Self-Neglect – Refusal or failure to provide himself/herself with adequate food, water, clothing, shelter, personal hygiene, medication (when indicated), and safety precaution.
- Physical Abuse – The use of physical force that may result in bodily injury, physical pain, or impairment; or any physical injury to an adult caused by other than accidental means.
- Neglect by Others – Failure to provide the basic care, or services necessary to maintain the health and safety of an adult: this failure can be active or passive.
- Sexual Abuse – Sexual contact with a non-consenting adult or with an adult considered incapable of consenting to a sexual act.
- Financial Abuse – The illegal or unethical exploitation and/or use of an elder’s funds, property, or other assets.
- Mental Abuse – Verbal or emotional abuse includes threatening significant physical harm or threatening or causing significant emotional harm to an adult through the use of: Derogatory or inappropriate names, insults, verbal assaults, profanity, or ridicule; or harassment, coercion, threats, intimidation, humiliation, mental cruelty, or inappropriate sexual comments.
- Abandonment – the desertion or willful forsaking by anyone having responsibility for care.
- Isolation – Preventing the individual from receiving mail, telephone calls, or visitors
It is a complex issue, and all of us have a role to play. Much has been accomplished in the past 25 years, and we at Archstone Foundation are proud of our contributions to the work in building the field. We are inspired by the innovations that continue to be made and the growing awareness of elder abuse and neglect.
Looking ahead, it will take all of us lifting up our voices and working together to ensure that the necessary health and social support services are in place to safeguard all of us from elder abuse as we age.
