Preventing abuse of the elderly

Whoever coined the phrase “the circle of life” certainly knew what they were talking about because that’s exactly what our lives are: circles. By that, I mean that we end our lives how and where we started. We start life as frail, fragile infants, and many of us end life pretty much the same way, as frail, fragile adults. It can’t be avoided, and it can’t be prevented. It’s “the circle of life.”

June is Elder Abuse Awareness Month and, although we can’t avoid or prevent the circle of life from happening, we can avoid and prevent elder abuse from happening. Maine’s Adult Protective Services confirmed 1,500 cases of elder abuse in 2005. The leading causes present in each case were social isolation and mental impairment. Studies show that Maine’s elder population (80 years and older) will increase by 25 percent by 2017. Will elder abuse increase at this same rate or will we take steps to avoid and prevent this behavior?

Elders, their family, friends and caregivers all can help avoid and prevent elder abuse. Elders can avoid and prevent elder abuse by staying socially and physically active. Mental and physical activity help reduce our frail years to, hopefully, frail months. Research has shown longevity has more to do with lifestyle choices than with our genes. Elders should also consolidate and simplify their financial affairs and develop relationships with one financial institution, one financial adviser and one attorney. Elders should execute appropriate advanced-planning legal documents, such as a last will and testament, durable power of attorney and health care power of attorney, giving thoughtful consideration to who they want to act for them should they need help with their personal, financial and health care matters.

Caregivers for elders can prevent elder abuse by taking time off to care for themselves so as not to become overwhelmed and frustrated by the job. Studies show that 50 percent of elder caregivers are clinically depressed. Depression can lead to bad decisions for the elder, as well as the caregiver. Family and friends of an elder should stay in the elder’s life by visiting, calling and encouraging independence. We should care for them as elders at the end of the circle of life, as they cared for us at the beginning of the circle of life. Today it is they who need love, care and kindness. Tomorrow it will be our turn. Just as there is no excuse for child abuse, there is no excuse for elder abuse.

John E. Nale is an elder law attorney in Waterville. He writes and speaks frequently on elder law issues.