Elder Abuse

As many as one in 20 older adults (individuals over the age of 60) are victims of elder abuse. Elder Abuse can be physical abuse, financial exploitation, neglect, emotional abuse, sexual abuse or other mistreatment.  Abuse sometimes occurs when a caregiver fails to meet the needs of the older person or when older people fail to take care of themselves.

Most frequently, the victim is female, over the age of 75 and dependent on a spouse, relative or friend to provide care, food and shelter.  The abuser is likely to be a spouse or adult child who lives in the same house and who is responsible for providing care to the older person.  Despite these statistics, the victim can be anyone over the age of 60.  The abuser can be anyone.

In Pennsylvania, the Older Adults Protective Services Act was enacted in 1989 to help to protect Older Adults from Elder Abuse.  This law dictates that the Area Agency on Aging protect Older Adults who are at risk of harm because of any type of abuse.  Specially trained employees of the Union-Snyder Agency on Aging, Inc. receive calls with concerns about Older Adults who may be victims of abuse.  These employees then investigate the concerns.  If the Older Adult is being abused, the Agency on Aging offers services to stop the abuse and prevent it from occurring again. 

Anyone can report suspected Elder Abuse.  Individuals can call the Agency on Aging to report their concerns 24 hours per day.  Callers can give their name, or they can call anonymously.  The Agency on Aging is absolutely prohibited from giving out the name of the person who calls to report the suspected abuse.

Since 1995, additional laws have been passed to strengthen the Older Adults Protective Services Act.  Act 28 of 1995 makes it a criminal offense for a caretaker to neglect a care-dependent person (victim).  Act 13 of 1997 requires mandatory reporting of suspected Elder Abuse by any person working in a Nursing Home, Personal Care Home, Home Health Agency or care facility for the mentally retarded. 

Elder Abuse is everyone's concern.  You, your relative, friend or neighbor may be a victim of abuse.  If you have any concern that a person over the age of 60 may be a victim of any of the types of Elder Abuse, please contact the Union-Snyder Agency on Aging 24 hours a day at: (570) 524-2100; (570) 374-5558; or 1 (800) 533-1050.