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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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