Haven FYI- June 12th 2020
From an article taken from the Conversation https://theconversation.com/coronavirus-lockdown-measures-may-be-putting-older-adults-at-greater-risk-of-abuse-137430
Elder abuse and neglect may be on the rise during the coronavirus pandemic, the National Center on Elder Abuse (NCEA) warns. Many people are stressed and burned out during this time, which can make essential workers – such as nursing home staff – more likely to lash out against elderly residents. Additionally, the government’s social distancing measures exacerbate one of the greatest risk factors for elder abuse – isolation.
Widespread media reports have highlighted the concerning rise in domestic violence because of lockdown. Much of these reports have focused on the impact on women and children. However, many older adult victims of domestic violence are also at significant risk during the pandemic.
Older adults are more at risk from coronavirus due to age-related vulnerability often resulting from pre-existing health conditions. But safety measures put in place to protect them from the virus may also be placing them at greater risk of experiencing elder abuse. Factors including isolation, depression and unemployment are all increasing because of the global pandemic – and these have been identified as risk factors in cases of elder abuse.
Adding to this problem is increased strain on health and social care services for older adults – partly because of heightened demand and staff shortages as a result of furlough. Older adults may therefore face the difficult choice of staying in an abusive situation (with less professional support) or fleeing the situation (with limited options of places they can go) but increasing their risk of contracting COVID-19.
Research into elder abuse has identified a number of factors that increase the risk of abuse.
Perpetrators of elder abuse are more likely to:
Be dependent on the older adult victim: This dependence is often caused by unemployment or having low income. It may also be due to mental health or substance abuse problems. The global pandemic and subsequent lockdown has increased rates of unemployment and decreased income for many.
Suffer from mental health problems, particularly depression: Lockdown and social isolation has increased stress, reduced social contact and time outdoors, which are all associated with depression.
Feel highly stressed and lack the ability to cope: A pandemic is a highly stressful event and the lockdown has limited some of our usual coping mechanisms, such as socializing and playing sports.
Report feeling more socially isolated and less supported: Reducing social contact is the objective of the lockdown and could lead to reduced social support.
Report feeling resentful of and unhappy with their caregiving roles: The need to shield older adults from the virus may lead to increased caring responsibilities, such as getting food and medicine for older relatives.
Protecting the elderly
Victims of elder abuse are also more likely to be dependent on others for support and functional needs such as cooking and personal care. During social distancing, older adults may become more dependent on others. They may also be socially isolated or lack social support, which are also risk factors for abuse.
Limited contact with friends and family to protect from the virus can also mean that the victim has fewer people to talk to about the abuse they may be experiencing. This also means there may be fewer people around to notice signs of abuse.
Victims of elder abuse are also more likely to report mental health problems – particularly depression, high stress and an inability to cope evidenced by behaviors such as self-neglect. All of these could be worsened during lockdown.
Elder abuse tends to be more common in communities where victims and perpetrators lack mental health treatment or social care resources in the community. Lockdown has increased demand for these services – but many of the organizations that provide the services have decreased funding and staff. Many older adults may not be able to access services that have moved online as a result of the pandemic – and many may be unable to pay for necessary care and treatment.
Sadly, many measures taken to protect older adults from coronavirus may inadvertently create conditions that increase instances of elder abuse. It is important to rethink how services are provided in order to stop this from happening.
One barrier to reporting elder abuse is lack of knowledge about services. It will be important to raise awareness about available services among older adults – especially about services available in their community and how they can safely and privately access these services.
HAVEN can help…we have services specific to elder abuse!
It’s critically important to check in on known victims of elder abuse and on older adults who are particularly vulnerable.
We should also be increasing general awareness about the signs of elder abuse and how to respectfully talk to older adults about abuse. This will allow friends and family to identify signs of abuse, seek help and advice from services and talk to loved ones. Anyone can report suspected elder abuse or reach out for guidance from elder abuse services.
HOW TO TALK TO YOUR ELDERLY LOVED ONE ABOUT ABUSE
Without the availability of in-person visits, you must rely on other methods of communication like phone calls, video conferencing, and letters to check in on your loved one. Reach out to your loved one in a nursing home as often as possible, and use video call programs like FaceTime to observe how they are doing physically.
It’s also helpful to ask questions over the phone to identify whether your family member might be experiencing abuse, especially if you are unable to visibly observe your loved one. Possible questions include:
- How do you feel?
- What is it like living there right now?
- Do you feel safe?
- Is there anything you’re worried about?
- Do you have everything you need?
- What can I do to help you?
If the nursing home restricts your access to speak with your loved one or staff won’t let you talk with your family member alone, these might be signs of abuse.
WHAT TO DO IF YOU SUSPECT ABUSE OR NEGLECT
If you suspect that your elderly loved one is suffering from nursing home abuse or neglect during the coronavirus crisis, it’s critical to get help.
If you think you’re being abused, have witnessed elder abuse, or wonder if an elder in your life is being abused please call a Haven advocate, we can answer your questions and guide you through the next steps.
Please call our office at 918-554-2836 (our victim of crime advocate at 541.602.0616) or through our website havenprogram.com
Find us on social media (Facebook HAVEN Tribal Program, Twitter: @ProgramHaven, Instagram: HAVENTRIBALProgram).
Our advocates are here to help!
After hours you can reach our local Community Crisis Center at 1.800.400.0883 and Strong Hearts Tribal Advocacy at 1.844.762.8483
