By Tim Wholf

Every year an estimated 5 million, or one in 10 older Americans experience some form of elder abuse.

Elder abuse is the mistreatment or harming of an older person. Many social factors—for example, a lack of support services and community resources—can make conditions ripe for elder abuse.

Ageism (biases against or stereotypes about older people that keep them from being fully a part of their community) also play a role in enabling elder abuse.

World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, commemorated annually on June 15, is an opportunity for communities to take action to protect aging adults by raising awareness about elder abuse, why it occurs, and what can be done to stop it.

Types of Elder Abuse

• Physical abuse: Use of force to threaten or physically injure an older person.
• Emotional abuse: Verbal attacks, threats, rejection, isolation, or belittling acts that cause mental anguish, pain, or distress to an older person.
• Sexual abuse: Sexual contact that is forced, tricked, threatened, or otherwise coerced upon an older person.
• Exploitation: Theft, fraud, misuse or neglect of authority as a lever to gain control over an older person’s money or property.
• Neglect: failure or refusal to provide for an older person’s safety, physical, or emotional need.

The risk of elder abuse can be lessened by putting supports and foundations in place that make abuse difficult.

If we notice the above signs of abuse, report it to the proper authorities. See related story on Page 16.

If you or someone you know is in a life-threatening situation or immediate danger, call 911 or the local authorities. Programs such as Adult Protective Services and the Long-Term Care Ombudsmen are available to help.

The Eldercare Locator line at 1-800-677-1116 (eldercare.acl.gov) can provide reporting numbers for your area.

Tim Wholf is director of the Johnson County Department of Aging and Human Services.