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**ElDERlY ABUSE ! ** Every year, tens of thousands of elderly Americans are abused in their own homes, in relatives’ homes, and even in facilities responsible for their care. **//More than half a million reports of abuse against elderly Americans reach authorities every year, and millions more cases go unreported//.** (1) Legislatures in all 50 states have passed some form of elder abuse prevention laws. Usually the attacker of elderly abuse is a family member, a close friend, or someone you know. **//Of alleged perpetrators of elder abuse 33% were adult children, 22% were other family members; 16% were strangers, and 11% were spouses/intimate partners //****. ** (5)

There are many different types of abuse in the elderly, such as physical abuse which includes being beaten, restrained, burned, or held against his or her will. The second of abuse in elderly is emotional abuse which includes shouting at, swearing at, ridiculing, frightening, ignoring, or embarrassing the elderly. The third type of abuse in the elderly is sexual abuse which includes the elder to participate in sexual activity against his or her will. The last but definitely not least is neglect which includes the abuser deprives the elder of food, water, heat, medication, hygiene needs, or general comfort.

The effects on the elderly that have been victims of abuse are very serious. The elderly are older and typically more fragile so it’s harder for them to fight back. Most elderly are vulnerable and cannot help themselves and depend on others to meet their most basic needs . Elder abuse can leave devastating effects not only mentally and physically; in some cases it could be fatal. The statistics of elderly abuse are more then you imagine. **//Every year an estimated 2.1 million older Americans are victims of physical, psychological, or other forms of abuse and neglect. (2)//** Any kind of abuse can leave effects such as psychological problems. Psychological problems such as depression, anxiety, and severe emotional trauma are long lasting effects that will most likely stay with the elderly for the rest of their life. **//A recent study found violations at 94% of nursing homes in the United States. (3) //**  To understand or help the elderly you have to know about abuse. You have to get involved and volunteer in your community. That is why I am volunteering and getting involved. Communicate regularly with your elderly relatives, friends, and neighbors to decrease isolation and give them a chance to discuss any problems or needs. If you never get involved then how will you know that the elderly are in need of helping? You may never know if someone is abusing one of your family members, or friends. Some things you look for when helping with the elderly are, changes in behavior or physical signs. **//In 2004, Adult Protective Services received a total of 565,747 reports of elder abuse for persons of all ages from 50 states.//** **// (4) //**

<span style="color: #ff0066; font-family: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">There are many different signs of elderly abuse. Signs include poor personal hygiene, marks, bruises, broken bones, bed sores, weight loss, sunken eyes, vaginal or anal bleeding, and behavioral characteristics such as fear, and depression. Other signs can include living conditions of the person's home, large bank account withdrawals and other unusual activity on bank accounts. Elderly could be missing large amounts of money, or checks with different signature then his or hers. <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">

<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt;">(1)http://www.ehow.com/about_5397899_elder-abuse.html <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt;">(2)http://karisable.com/elderabuse.htm <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt;"> (3)http://web.sokolovelaw.com/NursingHome.html?mm_campaign=18a74fb25792cebb69f829e26896e0a9&keyword=elderly%20abuse%20statisticsutm_source=MSN:Abuse_Information_-_Broadutm_medium=CPC&utm_campaign=Abuse_National_-_Broad <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt;">(4)http://helpguide.org/mental/elder_abuse_physical_emotional_sexual_neglect.htm <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">(5)http://www.elderlawhousing.com/CM/Custom/FINANCIALEXPLOITATIONOFTHEELDERLY.asp