To report Abuse of an Elder and/or Disabled Adult, call:

262-605-6646 or 800-472-8008

Evening and weekend emergencies: 262-657-7188

One out of every nine Americans over the age of 60 may be suffering from some sort of abuse. Wisconsin averages 3,000 reports of suspected elder abuse cases each year.

Adult Protective Services (APS), assists elders and disabled adults who may be victims of abuse, neglect, self-neglect and/or financial exploitation.

DEFINITIONS

Physical Abuse
Non-accidental use of force that results in bodily injury, pain or impairment. Includes but not limited to being slapped, burned, cut, bruised or improperly physically restrained.

Sexual Abuse
Non-consensual sexual contact of any kind. Includes but not limited to forcing sexual contact with self or forcing sexual contact with a third person.

Emotional Abuse
Willful infliction of mental or emotional anguish by threat, humiliation, intimidation or other abusive conduct. Includes but not limited to isolating or frightening an adult.

Neglect
Failure by caregiver to fulfill caregiving responsibilities. Includes but not limited to abandonment, deprivation of food, water, heat, cleanliness, eyeglasses, dentures, or health-related services.

Self Neglect
The adult's inability, due to physical and/or mental impairments, to perform tasks essential to caring for oneself.

Financial Exploitation
Improper use of an adult's funds, property or resources. Includes but not limited to fraud, embezzlement, forgery, falsifying records, coerced property transfers or denial of access to assets. This is the fastest growing crime in the county. Estimates are that only one in every 25 suspected cases are ever reported.

Who are the Victims?

Anyone can become a victim of abuse regardless of age, gender, financial status or background. Adult abuse crosses all demographic and geographic boundaries. Victims of adult abuse include:

the frail elderly

the developmentally disabled

the physically disabled.

Adult abuse is often a “hidden” problem partly because the victim often fails to report abuse and mistreatment. Why?

Guilt, shame and love prevent the abuse from being reported when the abuser is a friend or family member

Fear of retaliation from the accused abuser

Perceived lack of a safer alternative to the current living situation

Impairments making it impossible for the victims to seek help for themselves

Victims fear the loss of a caregiver – even an abusive one

Victims may not know where or how to seek help and are often isolated

RISK FACTORS

Factors which increase the likelihood that someone will be the victim of elder abuse:

Decreased physical health/mobility, dependency on others – Elders may become increasingly dependent on others for their care. Caregivers may also be dependent on the elder for financial assistance, emotional support or housing.

Declining mental status – While dementia can increase with advanced age, decreased mental functioning is NOT an inevitable result of aging. Confusion and forgetfulness can also be associated with depression, grief, malnourishment, head injuries and other medical conditions that may be reversible.

Social isolation – The death of a spouse, siblings and friends may lead to isolation. Abusers often try to isolate an elder by:

refusing to apply for economic aid or services;

resisting outside help; and/or

changing social and healthcare providers frequently so that the elder’s situation is hard to assess.

Isolation can hide the effects of physical abuse, neglect or exploitation and can also be used as a form of emotional abuse.

Caregiver stress – The demands of caring for others can lead to caregiver “burnout” resulting in impatience, depression, anger and hostility, sometimes resulting in abuse. Other pressures, such as unemployment, can exacerbate caregiver stress.

Impairment of either caregiver or elder – Physical impairment, mental illness, or cognitive impairment of either the elder or the caregiver are also risk factors for abuse.

In many instances, the abuser is financially dependent on the victim and/or has an incapacitating condition such as substance abuse, mental incapacity, or physical incapacity.

Indicators of Abuse

Physical Abuse, Sexual Abuse or Neglect

Bruises, welts, fractures, rope burns, signs of hair pulling

Unexplained STDs (sexually transmitted diseases)

Signs of malnutrition and/or dehydration such as weight loss or dry skin

Soiled clothing or bed linens

Unexpected or unexplained health problems

Unexplained paranoia

Excessive fear

Insomnia, sleep deprivation, or need for excessive sleep

Signs of excessive drugging, lack of medication, or other misuse such as decreased alertness

Financial Abuse

Unexplained or sudden inability to pay bills

Unexplained or sudden withdrawal of money from accounts

Disparity between assets and living conditions

Extraordinary interest by family members or others in older person’s assets