Elder Abuse Walk Helps Highlight Issue For Community

By Isaac White.

Elder abuse, a pervasive issue affecting all of society, was brought to the forefront by Jonilee Toulouse, a Caregiver Support Counselor affiliated with the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe. Alongside her team, she organized a public walk at Generations Park to raise awareness about this often-overlooked issue.

Toulouse emphasized that the primary goal of the day's event was to educate the community about the realities of elder abuse. When questioned if such abuse happens in Akwesasne, her response was affirmative. According to Toulouse, one of the crucial steps in eradicating this problem is understanding the diverse methods of abuse perpetrated against the elderly.

While elder abuse can take on numerous forms, seven types are particularly common among those who exploit seniors. These seven forms are frequently associated with elder abuse, though they certainly do not encompass its entirety.

Neglect - Elder neglect occurs when a caretaker neglects to keep an elderly person safe, leading to significant illnesses or injuries. Elder and nursing home neglect are not unintentional occurrences. Instead, they are the outcome of negligence or a disregard for the health of an elderly person. Some signs of neglect include - Inadequate or unclean clothing, lack of food in the home/long-term care facility, unclean or unsafe home/long-term care facility, poor personal hygiene, lack of needed medical aids.

Physical abuse - The purposeful use of physical force against an elderly person is known as elder abuse. An older adult may be hit, shoved, kicked, or restrained physically. Some signs of physical abuse include but are not limited to - Cuts or scrapes, Broken bones, Bruises, and Burns.

Sexual abuse - Any forced or non-consensual sexual contact with an older adult qualifies as elder sexual abuse. This includes having sexual relations with elderly people who are unable to agree due to dementia, Alzheimer's disease, or other cognitive impairments.

Abandonment - Elder abandonment occurs when a person providing care for an elderly person purposefully leaves them. It can occasionally occur in conjunction with neglect. Some signs of abandonment include - Appear confused, lost, or scared; have poor hygiene; seem frail, malnourished, or dehydrated.

Emotional or psychological abuse - Abuse of the mind, fear, or emotions is the deliberate infliction of mental suffering on an elderly person. Emotional abuse can take many different forms. For instance, caregivers may insult, slander, or threaten seniors. However, it goes beyond simple name-calling; caretakers may actually block off elderly people from friends, family, and resources. Signs of emotional or psychological abuse include - Sudden changes in behavior/personality; drastic change in eating or sleeping patterns; appearing depressed, withdrawn, or scared; isolation from friends and family.

Self-neglect - An aged person engages in self-neglect when they are unable to meet their fundamental requirements and suffer as a result. Some signs of self-neglect are when an elder can't drink or feed themselves without help, maintain basic hygiene, and manage financial affairs.

Financial abuse - The improper, unauthorized, or unlawful use of an elderly person's resources is known as elder financial abuse. Strangers, family members, or nursing care personnel can commit elder financial abuse. Some signs of elder financial abuse are - Someone showing unusual interest in how much money an elder is spending; A pattern of missing belongings or property; canceled checks or bank statements that go to someone other than the elder; evidence of unpaid bills; changes to an older person's power of attorney or bank accounts.

If you suspect an elder is being abused in any manner, contact local elder agencies to get seniors the assistance they need.