The Department for the Aging directly, and through a network of community-based agencies, sponsors elder abuse prevention activities for older New Yorkers and provides counseling and supportive services to elderly victims of elder abuse in New York City.

Elder abuse is a sad fact of life. It is perpetrated by relatives, caregivers, and even friends and neighbors. Far too many people do not know how to report this crime, or where to go for help.

Estimates on the prevalence of elder abuse vary. A recent study on incidence, sponsored by the National Center on Elder Abuse, found a nationwide incidence rate of 1.9 percent. These rates are generally regarded as an underestimate of the scope of this problem. Other gerontological studies range from 3 – 120 incidents per one thousand, or .3% - 12% of the elderly population as victims of elder abuse. Using this estimate, New York City’s prevalence of elder abuse could range from 3,900 to 153,000 instances.

Mistreatment of the elderly is a growing problem that affects all segments of society, regardless of socioeconomic status, living environment, race and ethnicity, or physical or cognitive status. Its scope extends beyond the stereotype of a bruised and battered older person to include elderly victims of psychological or emotional harm, caregiver neglect, sexual abuse, exploitation, and fraudulent diversion of property.

What is Elder Abuse?

It is important to recognize the definitions that distinguish elder abuse from other crimes against the elderly. Elder abuse escalates over time, it moves from one level of abuse to other or it can be a combination of abuses.

Physical

The infliction of physical pain or injury, or physical coercion (and confinement against one’s will). Example include: slapping, bruising, sexually molesting, cutting, burning, physically restraining, and pushing.

Psychological

The infliction of mental anguish including demeaning, name calling, treating as a child, insulting, ignoring, threatening, and isolating.

Financial

The illegal or unethical exploitation and /or use of funds or other assets of the elderly person.

Neglect

The refusal or failure to fulfill a caretaking obligation, including abandonment, non-provision of food or health-related services.

Elder abuse intervention services assist older victims of abuse live with dignity, safely and free from abuse while maintaining power and control of their daily living. Intervention services are provided to victims aged 60 years and older who are being physically, emotionally, and/or financially abused, and do not meet HRA’s Adult Protective Service criteria for assistance.

Elder abuse program interventions include, but are not limited to:

• Receiving reports of elder maltreatment and/or exploitation
• Assessing the psychosocial needs of victims and their families
• Exploring legal and social service options for care
• Developing & implementing individualized case plans
• Providing and/or linking clients with community services **
• Case monitoring and evaluation
• Conducting elder abuse prevention trainings with seniors
• Outreach and training

** Services include, but are not limited to, case assistance, individual/family and group counseling, crisis intervention, and legal advocacy. If necessary, programs may provide or arrange for legal assistance, accompaniment to court, precincts, and health care facilities, transportation services, financial assistance, installation of home security devices, emergency shelter, and law enforcement referrals.

By providing options to the older person and their families as appropriate, we will empower our older citizens to make decisions about their lives and help decrease their isolation by encouraging them to take advantage of existing community services and programs.