The reports of elder abuse to Adult Protective Services have been rising steadily over the past few years to a current level of more than 600 cases per month in some counties, according to one Grand Jury investigation.
The reported county received 7,238 adult abuse reports in a single year, with 72 percent of the cases involving seniors over the age of 65. In its Elder Abuse: The Perfect Storm study, the Grand Jury noted some of the factors that may contribute to elder abuse, including:
1)Baby boomers are now entering their retirement years and this large population group will affect the safety net for future decades.
2) Elders who suffer from dementia, illness and injury are at greater risk of abuse.
3) Emotional stress contributes to possible conflicts between elders and caregivers.
4) Decreasing revenues have reduced governmental resources at all levels.
5) The current economy has exacerbated the dilemma of abuse.
Elder abuse includes not only physical or emotional abuse but financial abuse as well, which usually goes under-reported in our culture, mainly because it leaves no visible scars to tip off friends and family. It is disheartening to discover that in most cases of financial exploitation of elders the perpetrator is a family member, often the victim's own son or daughter.
An estate planner can help eliminate financial confusion for the elderly and their caregivers as well as help families prepare for asset protection, retirement, management, and health care needs.