Elder Abuse Is A Growing Concern As Rates Increase, Says Pathlights

Palos Heights, IL - In 2006, the International Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse and the World Health Organization designated June 15 as World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD). Each June, WEAAD shines a bright light on the signs and symptoms of elder abuse and works to give people the courage to stand up for older adults in their circle.

For Pathlights in Palos Heights, putting elder abuse in the spotlight is a crucial facet of their mission every single day. Since 1989, the organization has been a State of Illinois designated Elder Abuse Provider Agency.

Velencia Myton is Director of Adult Protective Services (APS) at Pathlights and says, “APS needs just as much attention as Child Protective Services (CPS), especially as our population ages and lives longer, making them more vulnerable to abuse.”

Unfortunately, there are lingering misconceptions about what elder abuse is, how often it occurs, what happens when a report is made and how it can be prevented.

Statistics show that about 1 in 10 Americans over the age of 60 have experienced abuse, but Sue Spears, APS Manager at Pathlights, says it’s believed that abuse is severely underreported. “Many people don’t know that APS exists, or if the suspected abuser is a family member, they don’t want to get family in trouble. They won’t report, or they don’t cooperate if abuse is reported.”

“People have a vision of getting pulled out of their home or of being sent to a nursing home if they report or accept services,” says Spears. “In reality, our job is to check and see what’s really going on, and try to resolve the situation with the least amount of disruption to both the older adult and the family.”

Abuse can take various forms and present in a myriad of signs and symptoms. The Center for Elder Justice notes that abuse can be physical, emotional or psychological, sexual or financial. Neglect, the failure to provide shelter, food, water, clothing, or medicine, is also a form of abuse.

Reporters can come from anywhere, says Myton, including banks and financial institutions who notice unusual spending or money transfers, law enforcement, rehabilitation and nursing home staff, hospital social workers, health care workers, neighbors or family members.

Spears stresses that, by law, reporting is confidential, and can be anonymous if the reporter prefers. “After receiving the report, either from the Illinois Department of Aging or through our agency directly, we begin the investigation. We have 24 hours to seven days to respond, depending upon the allegation. We take into account the severity of the allegation, whether or not the accused abuser lives in the home with the older adult, and if there is a possible danger to our worker, whether there are weapons, drugs or animals in the home. We may bring a co-worker and we may bring the police along to investigate.”

Myton explains that the older adult must agree to the investigation, and must agree to accepting the help. “We have 30 days to gather documentation, talk to witnesses and everyone else involved, get as much information as possible and determine if the abuse is happening. Then we develop a case plan to eliminate the abuse.”

When the older adult is not safe in the home, investigators will take immediate steps to place them in a safe place to eliminate the abuse. Pathlights may also work to evict abusers and get older adults under an order of protection while putting supportive services in place. When abuse is flagrant, with abusers “evil and malicious,” Myton says there may be a need for court services and appointed guardians.

Many times, Myton notes, an accusation of neglect may just result in the need for better education about caregiving. “Abuse isn’t purposeful about 85% of the time. People are overwhelmed and they don’t know services exist to support them. If a person has bed sores because they haven’t been repositioned, it could be because the caregiver didn’t understand how often they need to be moved. Once they are made aware of the information, training and other supportive services available, there is a 180-degree turnaround. Sometimes, caregivers just need a little help.”

Spears agrees. Even after over a decade of work in APS, she says she “can’t imagine how stressful it is to give care around the clock. The risk of burnout is so high.”

Pathlights works not only to build awareness of elder abuse itself, but also to educate families about the core services of the organization. Spears says, “Giving caregivers an outlet, giving them respite for an hour or two can make a world of difference. If an older adult isn’t being properly fed, home-delivered meals can be a godsend. Just having meals delivered means that the driver is showing up and checking on the older adult, giving caregivers relief.”

Pathlights holds multiple educational and caregiving support events in various locations throughout southwest and southern suburban Cook County each month. They also offer supportive services to eligible older adults, such as home-delivered meals, light housekeeping, and financial relief advocacy. Pathlights staff walks families through every step of each process, relieving the stress and anxiety that caregivers can feel as the older adults in their lives age.

“Pathlights is a community care coordination unit, which means that whatever an older adult needs, we got it, all in-house in one place,” says Myton. “And if we don’t have it, we’ll point you in the right direction.”

If anyone suspects an older adult is being abused, they can report concerns directly to Pathlights at 708-361-0219 or to the Illinois Department on Aging (IDOA) at 866-800-1409. Reports are always confidential and can be anonymous upon request.

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