Senior abuse: a hidden epidemic that is on the rise By Loretta Kaes Senior abuse is a sad topic,but one that should be urgently addressed because it is a serious problem across the nation. It also appears to be getting worse as we live longer and as nearly 80 million boomers begin to reach age 60. All 50 states have elder abuse prevention laws and all have set up reporting systems usually handled byAdult Protective Services (APS) agencies that receive and investigate reports of suspected abuse. The most recent major study on elder abuse was done in 2004 by the U.S.Department of Health and Human ServicesAdministration onAging. In a survey taken among all stateAPS agencies, they found that in the four years from 2000 to 2004 there was a nearly 20 percent increase in reports of elder abuse and neglect.AnAPS survey done in 2006 found that more than a half-million incidents of elder abuse were reported in one year. In New Jersey, the Department of Health and Senior Services,Division ofAging and Community Services handles elder abuse. They have a hotline, (800) 792-8820 (toll-free in New Jersey) and a line for people living outside New Jersey:609-943-3473,or you can email (www.acs@doh.state.nj.us) to report suspected abuse or neglect. New Jersey also has an ombudsman who represents the institutionalized elderly and investigates reports of abuse in nursing homes and other residential care facilities.Call the ombudsman at 887-582- 6995.You can also call the attorney general, who investigates and prosecutes elder crimes 973-504-6534 (Newark),856-614-3100 (Camden), or toll-free 877-746-7850. How will you know when it is appropriate for you to get involved and contact one of these authorities? Generally speaking,elder abuse refers to any knowing, intentional or negligent act by a caregiver or any other person that causes harm or a risk of harm.Understanding the specific factors that constitute abuse may inform your decision to take action. Self-neglect is often overlooked. If you see a condition or behavior of a senior that threatens his or her own health or safety,do not ignore it. It may be as simple as being a good neighbor and offering assistance,or calling a family member who may not be aware of the situation. In emergencies, it may mean calling 911. Abandonment is the desertion by anyone who has assumed the responsibility for the care or custody of that person. Neglect is the refusal or failure by those responsible to provide food, shelter,health care or protection. Financial exploitation is the illegal taking, misuse or concealment of funds,property or assets. Psychological abuse is the infliction of mental or emotional anguish or distress through verbal or nonverbal acts. Physical abuse is inflicting,or threatening to inflict,physical pain or injury,or depriving a basic need. Sexual abuse is the infliction of nonconsensual sexual contact of any kind. What happens if you decide to make a report to anAdult Protective Services agency? First, the agency screens calls for potential seriousness, and it keeps the information it receives confidential.Furthermore, there are laws that protect you if you report a suspected case of abuse. If the agency evaluates the situation as possibly violating state abuse laws, it assigns a case worker to conduct an investigation. If the situation is deemed an emergency, the investigation usually happens within 24 hours. If the victim needs crisis intervention, services are made available. If the abuse is not substantiated,mostAPS agencies work with other community organizations to obtain whatever social and health services the senior requires. The senior in question has the right to refuse services offered byAPS.APS will only provide services if the senior agrees,or has been declared incapacitated by the court and a guardian has been appointed. AnAPS investigation is a thorough assessment of a potential at-risk adult. In cases not judged as emergency,a trainedAPS social worker is required to have a face-to-face meeting with the senior in question within 72 hours of the report of abuse.During this meeting, the senior is interviewed in private.Every effort is made to determine competence.This may require other interviews with individuals or agencies that have knowledge of the situation. When the investigation is complete,a report is submitted to anAPS supervisor,who consults the appropriate social worker to determine if the adult is at risk of abuse,neglect or exploitation.Proper steps are then taken to remedy the situation.All information generated by an investigation is confidential. Unfortunately,every year family members and others abuse hundreds of thousands of seniors.Many victims are people who cannot help themselves and depend on others to meet their most basic needs.They may be frightened or embarrassed to speak up about their abuse,or may be suffering from dementia. If you suspect abuse, there may be a serious crime occurring.Do not be one of those people who do not want to get involved.Pick up the phone,make the call and remember that all the information generated by an investigation is strictly confidential and state law protects you when you make a report.Only by vigilance and caring can this hidden epidemic be cured. Loretta Kaes, a registered nurse with certification in gerontology, is vice president, health services at Chelsea Senior Living LLC. Chelsea is based in Fanwood and operates senior living communities in East Brunswick, Manalapan, Tinton Falls and eight other locations.For more information, call 908-889-4200, or visit theWeb site at www.chelseaseniorliving.com.