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WHAT ARE THE CURRENT CONDITIONS FOR OLDER ADULTS?
VICTIMIZATION AND CRIME
Individuals ages 65 and older are 10 times less likely to be murdered, assaulted, robbed, or otherwise victimized than younger people. The risk of being victimized may be lower because senior citizens take fewer risks (Lichtblau, January 10, 2000).
Despite the low incidence of victimization, about two million older adults in the United States are victims of crime each year (US HHS, 2000, Age Page). Older adults are also more frightened of crime because:
- They cannot fight back as well (Lichtblau, January 10, 2000),
- They are at greater risk of being seriously hurt than are younger victims (US HHS, 2000),
- They know they do not heal as fast (Lichtblau, January 10, 2000),
- They are often targets for financial crimes, such as fraud, robbery, theft, and burglary (US HHS, 2000), and
- They are attacked near or in their homes more often than are younger victims (US HHS, 2000).
MALTREATMENT
In addition to crimes that affect the general population, older adults are at risk of abuse and exploitation by individuals with whom they have ongoing relationships. Chapter 48 of the Texas Human Resources Code, passed in 1981, established the State's responsibility to provide protective services to older adults through the Texas Department of Protective and Regulatory Service's Adult Protective Services program.
The true prevalence of maltreatment of older adults is not known. In the last decade, however, the number of incidents of abuse, neglect, and exploitation reported to the State for investigation in Texas increased 267%. This increase is likely due to both the increase in the population and increased awareness and reporting of abuse (Texas Department of Protective and Regulatory Services, 2000).
Despite the increased number of reports, the rate of validated investigations of abuse per 1,000 at-risk adults in Travis County decreased from 9.1 in 1996 to 6.3 in 1999 (Texas Department of Protective and Regulatory Services). In addition, as Figure 16 shows, in 1998, the incidence of maltreatment in the Austin region (7.4 adults per 1,000) was below the State average (8.2 adults per 1,000). While the rate in the Austin region is lower than in many other areas of the State, some experts estimate that elder abuse is as common as child abuse.
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Types of Maltreatment:
- Abuse - Negligent or willful infliction of injury, unreasonable confinement, intimidation, or cruel punishment with resulting physical or emotional harm or pain by an individual with whom the elderly person has an ongoing relationship.
- Emotional or verbal abuse - Any behavior used to humiliate, intimidate, vilify, degrade, or threaten with harm.
- Sexual abuse - Any involuntary or nonconsensual sexual conduct.
- Neglect - The failure of a caretaker or one's self to provide the goods or services necessary to avoid physical or emotional harm or pain
- Exploitation - Using the resources of an elderly person for monetary or personal benefit, profit, or gain without their informed consent.
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Some older adults are more likely to be victims of maltreatment than others. In 1998, a majority of Adult Protective Services clients (64%) in the Austin region were females. In addition, 55% of clients in Austin completed in-home investigations were White, while 24% were Black and 11% were Hispanic.
Figure 16.
Incidence of Maltreatment per 1,000 Older Adults by Largest Texas Regions - FY 1998
Source: Texas Department of Protective and Regulatory Services
Similarly, certain individuals are more likely to be perpetrators than are others. For example, maltreatment of older adults is more likely to occur at the hands of individuals known to the victim. The majority of perpetrators of in-home abuse, neglect, and exploitation are related to the victim as shown in Figure 17 (Texas Department of Protective and Regulatory Services, 1999, Annual Report).
Figure 17.
Relationship of Perpetrators to Older Adult Victims in Confirmed Cases of In-home Maltreatment in Texas - 1999
Source: Texas Department of Protective and Regulatory Services
RETURN TO TOP
CURRENT EFFORTS
In FY 1999, Adult Protective Services conducted investigations of 1,733 cases of alleged abuse, neglect and exploitation in Travis County, with 966 cases confirmed.
Seniors and Law Enforcement Together (SALT) partners senior advisory members with law enforcement officers to give presentations to seniors, teaching them how to be safer in their communities. In 1999, SALT members reached between 600 and 900 seniors. (For more information on Current Efforts, see Appendix A.)
Table 12.
Findings and Recommendations
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FINDINGS
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RECOMMENDATIONS
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- Older adults are often victims of financial crimes such as fraud, robbery, theft and burglary and financial exploitation
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- Strengthen current prevention programs and ensure that they have the resources they need to meet the demand for services. Identify and implement best practices in this area.
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- Females and minorities are more likely to experience maltreatment.
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- Eliminate disparities by focusing prevention efforts on groups that are at higher risk for abuse.
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- In FY 1999, Adult Protective Services conducted 1,733 investigations and confirmed 966 cases of abuse, neglect, and exploitation in Travis County.
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- Lobby the State Legislature to increase funding for investigation and prosecution of cases of abuse.
- Develop program that trains individuals who come in contact with older adults such as police officers, public utility workers, postal workers, as well as older adults volunteers to recognize signs of abuse and neglect and how to report suspicions.
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- The majority of older adult abusers are related to the victim. Approximately 40% of perpetrators are adult children.
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- Develop a public information campaign to educate older adults and their families about the risk of elder abuse by relatives. Identify and implement best practices in this area.
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Assessment Home Page
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