Read the article by Pat Trask - "If you put a frog in water"
Pat Trask is a staff attorney at Legal Aid Service of Northeastern Minnesota. Her work at Legal Aid is funded by a Violence Against Women Act grant that allows her to work on behalf of victims of domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking through direct client representation, community outreach and education, and sharing information on the issues of domestic violence.
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND SENIOR CITIZENS
FACTS ABOUT ELDER ABUSE
The media usually portrays domestic violence as a younger woman's problem. Friends, neighbors, health care providers, and other professionals often assume that older women's injuries and behavior are due simply to old age, when those symptoms were actually caused by abuse or neglect.
More than half of all reported elder abuse and neglect is caused by family members children (31-33%), spouses (14-15%), and other relatives (12-13%). Harmful actions by strangers are usually not considered elder abuse.
Elders who have mental or physical disabilities are at the greatest risk for abuse. Both elder men and women are equally at risk for abuse.
There are two categories of elder abuse: domestic elder abuse, and institutional elder abuse. There are six types of elder abuse that fall within the two, above-listed categories:
1. Physical abuse
2. Financial abuse
3. Neglect
4. Self-neglect
5. Psychological/emotional abuse
6. Abandonment
HOW TO RECOGNIZE ELDER ABUSE
Possible indicators of Physical abuse could include, but are not limited to: cuts, bruises, welts, any injury that has not been properly cared for, poor skin condition or hygiene, dehydration, loss of weight, burns, and soiled clothing.
Possible indicators of psychological or emotional abuse include, but are not limited to: hesitation to talk properly, fear, withdrawal, depression, denial, anger, confusion, implausible stories, and agitation.
Possible indicators of financial abuse include, but are not limited to: unusual activity in bank accounts, signatures on checks that do not represent the elder = s signature, power of attorney given, changes in will, unpaid bills, overdue rent, lack of personal grooming items, lack of appropriate clothing, and missing belongings.
Possible indicators of neglect by a care giver include, but are not limited to: dirty living environment, fecal/urine smell in elder = s living environment, rashes, sores, lice on elder, elder is malnourished, inadequately clothed, or has an untreated medical condition.
Possible indicators of self-neglect include, but are not limited to: hoarding, squandering, giving money away, or failure to pay bills, inability to manage daily living activities, suicidal acts, dangerous living conditions, such as no running water, no utilities, and not keeping medical appointments.
Possible indicators of abuse from the care giver include, but are not limited to: the elder does not have the opportunity to speak for themselves, or see others without the presence of the care giver, aggressive behavior by care giver toward the elder, previous history of abuse toward others, inappropriate display of affection by the care giver.
WHY OLDER WOMEN ARE LESS LIKELY TO SEEK HELP
Older women are often more economically vulnerable than younger women, and may fear poverty, homelessness, or loss of health care benefits if they report abusive behavior by a spouse or a family member. If she reports the abuse she may fear being placed in a nursing home if she is frail or dependant on others to provide physical care. Women who are abused by a spouse may not be willing to view separation or divorce as options because of an inability to envision life without a long-term spouse.
WHAT CAN YOU DO IF YOU BELIEVE THAT AN ELDER IS BEING ABUSED?
Below are the various agencies, listed by county, that offer help to those involved in abusive relationships:
ITASCA COUNTY
Legal Aid Service of Northeastern Minnesota
350 NW 1st Ave., Suite F
Grand Rapids , MN 55744
(218) 322-6020
(800) 708-6695
Advocates For Family Peace
1611 Fourth Street NW
Grand Rapids , MN 55744
(218) 326-0388
First Call For Help
1211 SE Second Avenue
Grand Rapids , MN 55744
(218) 326-8565, 24 hours a day
(800) 422-8565
Itasca Alliance Against Sexual Assault
501 South Pokegama Avenue
Grand Rapids , MN 55744
(218) 326-5008
(800) 422-8565
ST. LOUIS COUNTY
Legal Aid Service of Northeastern Minnesota
Olcott Plaza
802 North 9th Street, Suite 150
Virginia, MN 55792
(218) 749-3270
(800) 886-3270
Range Women Advocates
(218) 749-5054
Legal Aid Service of Northeastern Minnesota
302 Ordean Building
424 West Superior Street
Duluth , MN 55802
(218) 726-4800
(800) 622-7266
Womens Coalition
(218)726-1528
First Call For Help
(218) 726-2222
(800) 232-1300
CROW WING COUNTY
Legal Aid Service of Northeastern Minnesota
1342 Highway 210 West
Baxter , MN 56425
(218) 829-1701
(800) 933-1112
Mid-Minnesota Womens Center
(218) 828-1216
PINE COUNTY
Legal Aid Service of Northeastern Minnesota
235 6 th Street
Pine City , MN 55063
(320) 629-7166
(800) 382-7166
Window Crisis Center
(320) 384-7113
KOOCHICHING COUNTY
Friends Against Abuse
318 Eighth Avenue
International Falls , MN 56649
(218) 285-7220
1-866-778-6059
Sunrise Center Against Sexual Abuse
1200 Third Avenue
International Falls , MN 56649
(218) 283-9334
1-877-819-0246
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National 24 hour Domestic Violence Hotline
1-800-799-SAFE
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OMBUDSMAN
The office of the Ombudsman is an advocacy service for older persons experiencing problems with the health care system. An Ombudsman investigates complaints of nursing home and boarding care residents and assists them in resolving their concerns about health, safety, welfare, and rights. Medicare beneficiaries can receive assistance in gaining hospital admission, preventing premature discharge, and accessing services needed following hospitalization. People using home care services may receive assistance in enforcing their rights, assessing benefits or resolving conflicts with service providers.
Ombudsman for Older Americans.... 1-800-657-3591
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Information for this newsletter was taken from an informational packet provided by The National Center on Elder Abuse (NCEA).
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jbrockway@lasnem.org