Elder abuse spiraling higher during this age of COVID-19
June 15 is World Elder Abuse Awareness Day. Even before the onset of COVID-19, elder abuse, neglect and exploitation were growing and underreported problems.
Now due to stay-at-home guidelines in the midst of the coronavirus crisis, many older adults are more isolated and alone, increasing risk for elder abuse and scams. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) estimates that 1 out of 10 older adults living at home has been a victim of elder abuse. In terms of financial exploitation and fraud, older adults lose a total of $36.5 billion annually.
While COVID-19 poses many challenges, it also presents an opportunity to look out for older family members, neighbors and friends, to be aware of red flags and report suspected abuse.
Unfortunately, in the majority of elder abuse cases, the perpetrator is a family member – most often an adult child or spouse. As older adults stay home to reduce exposure to COVID-19, they are not engaging with important social systems such as medical providers, senior centers and congregations. These entities are critical touchpoints for identifying elder abuse and exploitation.
The COVID-19 pandemic has also created widespread economic uncertainty for millions of people who have been laid off or furloughed. As most older adults receive consistent monthly incomes from sources such as investments or social security benefits, those who are struggling might be more inclined to financially exploit an older family member.
Staying engaged with older adults while physically distancing adds an important safeguard to preventing elder mistreatment. Many organizations have developed programs to stay connected with those who are isolated.
For example, both the Tennessee Commission on Aging & Disability and AARP have programs that provide weekly phone check-in calls from vetted volunteers. Other nonprofits like Fiftyforward, Senior Ride Nashville and Jewish Family Service are reaching out to clients to ensure their safety and well-being.
The Elderly and Vulnerable Adult Protection Act that went into effect Jan. 1 aims to safeguard senior adults, as well as other vulnerable adults, by expanding the availability of orders of protection and imposing enhanced civil and criminal penalties for elder abuse. The organizations that comprise the Vulnerable Adult Protective Investigative Team (VAPIT) continue to meet remotely to collaborate on elder and vulnerable adult abuse cases.
The Middle Tennessee Elder Watch committee, convened by the Council on Aging, brings organizations together including Fiftyforward, You Have the Power, AARP, Metro Family Safety Center, Metro Nashville Police Dept. and Adult Protective Services to increase public awareness and prevent elder abuse.
The Tennessee Department of Commerce and the attorney general’s office provide scam prevention information and presentations, along with other support services for victims. For a free scam prevention brochure or to sign up for the Council on Aging’s monthly “Scam of the Month” email, please visit www.coamidtn.org.
Abuse of older and vulnerable adults is against the law, and Tennessee is a “mandatory reporting” state. Most incidents of elder abuse, however, sadly go unreported.
If you see abuse, or suspect that an adult is being abused, neglected, or exploited, you must report it. If the abuse is a life-threatening emergency, call 911. Otherwise, call the state Adult Protective Services unit toll free at 1-888-277-8366 or contact your local law enforcement agency. You can also visit https://reportadultabuse.dhs.tn.gov/.
If the abuse involves mail fraud or scams, contact the United States Postal Service at 877-876-2455. If the abuse is occurring in a long-term care facility, call the Long-term Care Ombudsman at 877-236-0013. If you are over the age of 50, live in Davidson County and have been the victim of abuse, exploitation or another crime, call Fiftyforward Victory Over Crime at 615-743-3417 for free assistance.
Grace Smith is executive director of the Council on Aging of Middle Tennessee.
Ashley Hunter is director of the Victory Over Crime program at Fiftyforward and current chair of the Middle TN Elder Watch.