Cactus Village Community

Elder Abuse- Written by Maureen West Entrd by CAO Karen Freund

Jul 10, 2003

More than a quarter of elder abuse in Maricopa County involve members of the family, usually adult children. But authorities also are seeing an increase in elder abuse by adult grandchildren. Abusers often are adult grandchildren, 18 to 30, who suffer from drug or alcohol addiction, have no marketable skills and no stable income. According to a 1994 study, sons or daughters were the abusers or exploiters in 12 percent of the cases and grandkids in 2 percent. The numbers only tell part of the problem, experts say, because only 5 to 10 percent of elder abuse cases of any kind are reported. Abuse involving family members is less likely to be reported because the victims feel humiliated. The older person may fear being placed in a nursing home or may feel some guilt about how the younger person was raised. It's often a friend or neighbor who makes the complaint to Adult Protective Services or the police.

Why is this happening? Older people today have more money and are living longer, offering an expanding opportunity for abuse. In the end, the grandkids usually win. The grandparent is the person who usually has to move because, once the young abuser is in the home, it is nearly impossible to keep them away. The cases are difficult to prosecute because victims often recant or are unable to testify because of failing health.

Groups that can help:

Senior Help Line
602-264-4357 or 1-888-264-2258

Adult Protective Services
1-877-767-2385. . . ☺