Abuse in any form is deplorable. It represents the dark side of human nature, that urge to control and manipulate
someone who is weaker than we are. Elder abuse is particularly heinous since the victims represent wisdom and honor in most societies. Yet, senior abuse is a national problem.

It is estimated that more than 5 million seniors face abuse of some sort every year. Not all cases of serious abuse are reported, and many more cases go unnoticed or unrecognized.

Elder Abuse: It Is Everyone’s Problem

If you don’t have an elderly person in your life, chances are that you know someone who is caring for an aging parent or relative. The elderly should be honored and appreciated for their wisdom and age, not mistreated. The problem of elderly abuse is everyone’s problem because it affects you directly or indirectly in one way or another.

Doctors, therapists, law enforcement personnel, bankers, lawyers, and even pharmacists, have been impacted by the abuse of a senior at some point in their careers. No man is an island, and nothing that happens to one person can be kept from affecting others.

The Costs Of Elder Abuse

Elder abuse in all of its forms carries stiff consequences for the seniors themselves and their loved ones. The cost of financial abuse is estimated by a recent MetLife study to be nearly $3 billion annually. This is what seniors pay fraudulently per year to people and companies who pocket that money. That doesn’t include the cost that trickles down to the family members and friends of those seniors who were scammed or otherwise taken advantage of. Bills still need to be paid, medicines still have to be filled and picked up, and it is often those family members and friends who step up to pay when their senior relatives cannot.

With regards to financial cost, other types of abuse are just as devastating, reaching into the millions of dollars, we wrote about this here. Not only does abuse lead to increased trips to the ER or doctor’s office, the aftermath of abuse often requires some form of therapeutic intervention through a psychologist, therapist or psychiatrist, which can cost hundreds of thousands of dollars yearly.

Other Implications To Take Into Consideration

The financial impact of elder abuse to family and the elderly is only part of the story. There is also the cost of mental health services and law enforcement or legal fees if charges are filed. Together, these extra expenditures are estimated to cost tens of billions of dollars. Abuse also leads to mental and emotional trauma that changes the demeanor of those who are abused. Seniors who are going through abuse become withdrawn and anxious. In some cases, they may develop anger issues or low self-esteem, that change the dynamics of entire families. In severe cases, abuse results in the death of the senior being abused, in which case the remaining family members are left feeling guilty and responsible in some way for their loss.

At its most devastating, elder abuse increases the likelihood of premature death. In some cases this is a result of injuries from the abuse itself; other times seniors succumb to the domino effect that often accompanies older age. Pre-existing problems such as high blood pressure and stroke risk, combine with the stress and physical effect of the abuse. It is estimated that seniors who are abused face triple the risk of dying prematurely.

Preventing Abuse Means Ending The Ripple Effects

Many people believe that the prevention of elder abuse is the key to dealing with the problem. The Elder Justice Act passed as part of the Affordable Care Act, authorized a staggering $777 million funding initiative over four years in response to elder abuse. The money will go toward establishing elder abuse centers, researching the problem, and creating programs to combat elder abuse through training, demonstrations, and services.

Elder abuse truly is everyone’s problem. We will all be elderly eventually, which leaves us all vulnerable to the potential abuse. It is not just a community problem or a neighborhood problem, but one that is societal. We need to realize the importance of changing how we see seniors and the way they are treated before it is too late.