Elder Abuse—Raising Awareness About Prevention

genConnect.com

Actor Mickey Rooney testified before Congress this week

that he himself was a victim of elder abuse, and called on Congress and the president to do something immediately to stop it.

Elder abuse - emotional, physical and financial - is more common than we like to believe.

There are several factors to consider with regard to Mickey Rooney's testimony to Congress. For example, risk may increase when the elder is affluent, eminent, has biological and step-children from two or more marriages, and when there is cognitive and mental or physical impairment. Physicians, home health care aids, neighbors and relatives need to be made more aware of this possibility. Just as with abused children, victims may not willingly disclose such issues due to shame, ambivalence or fear of retribution, as well as fear of not being believed.

Many states and communities have agencies which one can notify about any suspicions of mistreatment - either in a nursing home or in the elder's home. These agencies, just as with anonymous reports about child and domestic abuse, will conduct an investigation to determine the validity of such suspicions.

With regard to financial abuse, this is one of the reasons that clinical psychologist Dr. Joseph Nowinski advocates that people designate power of attorney, healthcare prox, living will and select attorneys and financial managers and executors whom they are sure they can trust long before they are ill or become elderly. And these choices should be periodically reviewed and updated. Another point to consider is naming more than one person (in Rooney's case, particularly from different sets of children) for each of these assignments or designations so there is always the possibility of checks and balances.

Another issue is that of transparency and communication: If everyone in the family system knows your intentions and you are clear about your estate planning, there is less possibility of fraudulent behavior. Much is obviously determined by past family dynamics and communications but it is never too late to address and improve these processes.

Giving publicity to these cases is helpful in alerting people to what can happen if people do not plan for their final years.

*Dr. Okun and Dr. Nowinski are co-authors of "Saying Goodbye: How Families Can Find Renewal Through Loss"


For more from Dr. Okun:

Jaycee Dugard's Family 'Critical' to Healing Process

Talking to Children About Sickness and Death


About the Author:

Dr. Barbara F. Okun is a counseling psychology professor at Northeastern University. She is also a clinical instructor at Harvard Medical School and has maintained a clinical psychotherapy/family therapy practice with diverse populations for over thirty years. Dr. Okun is the author of several highly successful books, and she has written numerous professional chapters and articles as well as serving as a reviewer for several publishing companies.


Want more genConnect?

These are one expert's views on the news. Share with us your thoughts in the comments box below.