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(Last of a 3-part series)

JACKSON – There are many reasons why elder abuse occurs, and being aware of the causes as well as the barriers to reporting can help create solutions to the problem.

The Northampton County Department of Social Services (DSS) Adult Services division held an Elder Abuse Awareness event on May 29. The event featured several speakers who talked about different kinds of abuse and also how to identify it and prevent it from occurring.

Annette Daughtry from Trillium Health Resources gave a broad overview of reasons for abuse and why it’s not always reported or recognized. She also talked about they ways mental health/behavioral health and abuse can intersect.

“Older adults with behavioral health concerns, such as dementia or depression for example, are particularly vulnerable to elder abuse due to their cognitive and functional impairments, which can make them more dependent and less able to protect themselves,” she explained.

Daughtry noted that people with severe and persistent mental illness can have a difficult time communicating their needs, and they may find themselves socially isolated. These things can make them more vulnerable to elder abuse.

And, conversely, abuse can also exacerbate existing mental health problems, creating a “cycle of vulnerability.”

“There’s a misconception that all abuse is physical,” Daughtry explained. “It’s not always bruises and broken bones. Not all abuse is something that we can see.”

Daughtry emphasized that there’s no excuse for abuse, but it is important to understand the reasons why it happens.

Sometimes abuse can come from an overwhelmed or burnt-out caretaker who doesn’t have the training or knowledge to deal with caring for someone else with significant needs. In those cases, Daughtry stressed that those people should ask for help so the older adult can get the care they need.

Another factor that can lead to abuse is when older adults have to be dependent on others for care.

“Dependence can make older adults more vulnerable to abuse,” she said. “If that’s the only person they know of that’s going to take care of them, they’re going to be reluctant to tell somebody what’s happening.”

Even if abuse is recognized, however, it can still often be difficult for older adults to report it. Daughtry mentioned several reasons why that may be the case.

Fear of retaliation is one of the biggest reasons, she said, especially if the abuser makes threats. Older adults may worry that they’ll lose their only caretaker or they’ll be taken away from their home and sent to a facility, and that discourages them from speaking up.

“They might also fear that the abuse is going to get worse,” she added.

Other times, people may not recognize what’s happening as abuse, especially when perpetrated by a family member or if they’ve normalized abuse from experiencing it in their younger years. They may not be aware of their own rights, or – if they’re facing cognitive decline – think they don’t have any right to speak up.

Stigma can also prevent people from seeking out the help they need. Daughtry noted that people with behavioral health issues in particular may feel like they can’t speak out because they grew up being told not to talk about it. And they may feel like it’s their fault the abuse is happening, even though that’s not true.

“Stigma can result in shame and self-blame,” Daughtry said.

Sometimes abuse isn’t reported simply because there are communication barriers. An older adult without access to a phone or internet cannot reach out for help. Someone who is socially isolated may not have any way to access support resources. And, in some cases, the person being abused may not know who to trust with a report.

“To effectively address the problem, it’s essential to raise awareness,” Daughtry said. “The work can’t end here today. We have to take it with us when we go.”

She also pointed out that our rural community may not have the same abundance of resources as places like Raleigh, but there are local organizations – such as DSS or Trillium – that can help.

“One adult being abused is one too many,” Daughtry concluded. “By addressing the issues, it is possible to create a safe and more supportive environment for older adults with behavioral health concerns, and to reduce the rates of abuse and neglect in older adults.”

Among those in attendance at the event were Northampton DSS Board Chair Steve Jackson and Board Member Sylvia Vincent. Both agreed that the event accomplished its goal of bringing more awareness to the topic of elder abuse.

“This conference lets you know what to look out for,” Jackson said. “It’s well-worth the time to come out and get the information.”

“I have learned a lot from the presenters,” said Vincent. “This was much needed information I can gather and carry out to our seniors that were not able to attend today. Times are changing. Technology is taking over, and we have seniors who cannot keep up. Coming to an event like this makes us better able to give them the information they need.”