Renowned actor Mickey Rooney recently played his hardest role ever-standing up at a Senate hearing to give his account of elderly abuse at the hands of his stepson. Beloved Golden Globe and Emmy Award winner Mickey Rooney at age 90 spoke out about the atrocities done to him by a family member. His courage to speak out sparked public awareness about the prevalence of elder abuse in this country.
As the baby boomer generation is entering its senior years, elder abuse will exponentially rise. An aging population that controls a major portion of the wealth will increasingly become targets of abuse through con artists, caregivers and trusted family members.
Many elders are dependent on others for care giving and support and are often too embarrassed and humiliated to speak out and seek help if they are being abused. And, the more dependent they become, the more difficult it is to get help.
Assault and Neglect against Elders
Many abused elders face physical abuse. Many seniors say they have been assaulted in some fashion by those in charge of their personal care. Elders report receiving bruises and broken bones that cannot be attributed to frailty.
Many elders also encounter neglect just as much as physical assault. Starvation, dehydration, and hygiene neglect have all been reported by elders. Senior citizens are often segregated from contact with other individuals-even under the same roof-so this type of abuse, in many cases, goes unnoticed.
Financial Exploitation
Many elders' also face financial exploitation. Seniors are coerced into giving up control over personal property and other assets by guardians or family members taking care of them. This relinquishment of control leads to a potential for manipulation and theft; the caregiver may feel that they are entitled to compensation in exchange for caring for the elder.
Thanks to Mickey Rooney, elder abuse has been brought to light. But, continued public awareness is needed to stop cases of physical, emotional and financial abuse to elders. Communities all across the country are implementing ways to combat this growing problem. Hotlines, in particular, are beginning to emerge all over the country for anonymous tips.
If you have questions or concerns about elder abuse, it's important to seek the services of an experienced elder law attorney.
