The Scourge of Elder Abuse by Family Members is Rising

The media are replete with stories of domestic abuse, child abuse, drug abuse…even animal abuse. But there is another kind of abuse that garners very little attention, abuse that afflicts millions of Americans. It’s elder abuse—a problem that few people want to talk about or even acknowledge.

Sadly, approximately 90 percent of the abusers are family members: children abusing elderly parents...

The latest survey of Adult Protective Services reports that abuse is on the rise, up by nearly 20 percent from 2000. Most victims are white, 66 percent are women and 43 percent are 80 years old or older. Types of abuse include physical, emotional and sexual abuse. Financial abuse, neglect and abandonment are also growing problems.

U.S. Senator Herb Kohl, Chairman of the Senate Special Committee on Aging, said, “Our nation has for far too long turned its back on the shame of elder abuse.”

abridged for E.A. >>