HUNTSVILLE, Ala. — Elder abuse is a significant threat to the health and well-being of older adults worldwide. "Elder abuse can be part of adult abuse, neglect and exploitation," Karen Smith, Deputy Commissioner of Children and Family Services with the Alabama Department of Human Resources explained. "With abuse, it can be physical abuse, such as bruising burns, cuts, broken bones, sexual abuse. It can also be psychological abuse and so with psychological abuse, it could be intimidation, humiliation, isolation, someone being verbally assaulted."
The number of reports of suspected elder abuse that DHS receives has increased every year, apart from 2020. In fiscal year 2021, there were 11,122 reports, and in 2022, that number jumped to 12,033. The department tends to see an uptick in reports during the summer and around the holidays, but Smith says there are signs.
"Some signs of abuse, neglect, exploitation, maybe an increase in fear and anxiety," Smith shared. "The individual may be isolated from friends or family. They may withdraw from normal activities. They may go to the senior center every day for lunch, or they may go to a park or church. Then all of a sudden, that individual has started to isolate themselves, not participating in those activities that they had enjoyed all their lives."
Exploitation is also on the rise for the elderly. An analysis by the National Institute of Justice (NIJ) found that 87.5% of older adults who were victims of financial mistreatment by someone they knew did not report the crime to law enforcement. "It could be an adult's money that has been stolen from them. Property could have been stolen from them, or people could take their money or property or belongings without the adult giving consent for them to do so," Smith said.
NIJ also reported most victims did not report their family members or friends because they didn’t want the perpetrator to get in trouble or they didn’t want publicity.
Smith says that one way to help combat abuse is proper education. "I think it's important to educate yourselves as a community and as partners and stakeholders and just human beings in general. If anyone suspects that there is abuse or neglect or exploitation occurring, I encourage them to report that to their local Department of Human Resources."
Report suspected elder abuse by calling the Adult Abuse Hotline at 1-800-458-7214, emailing aps@dhr.alabama.gov or contacting a local DHR county office. All reports are confidential and may be made anonymously.