Editor’s note: This “best-of” Helen Dennis column was first published in 2019.

As with many important issues related to aging, there’s a date set aside to draw attention to what is considered one of the most serious public health and human rights crisis facing our nation. That is the mistreatment of our elderly, or elder abuse.

June 15 is World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, acknowledging physical abuse, caregiver neglect, abandonment, financial exploitation, and psychological and sexual abuse.

Take this quiz to check your knowledge on the facts.

Increasing your awareness may help protect you and those you love from abuse.

True or false:

1. Elder abuse is a big deal.

2. Most elder abuse occurs in nursing homes.

3. Physical abuse of an older person usually is obvious.

4. Most victims of elder abuse are women.

5. Elder abuse is a private matter.

6. Elder abuse is costly in dollars.

7. Opioids are a new elder abuse threat.

8. The signs of elder abuse are known.

9. Adult children have a negligible role to play in protecting their parents from financial abuse.

10. Laws have been passed to address financial abuse.

Answers

1. True. Indeed, it is. One in 10 adults in the U.S. are abused, according to a 2010 Elder Mistreatment Study. Yet only 1 in 14 cases are reported to authorities, according to a report by the National Academies.

2. False. Most occurs at home by family members and other loved ones an older person knows and trust. These include adult children, spouses, partners and others.

3. False. Bodily harm can occur with no signs. A twisted arm does not necessarily result in a visible injury. Bruises may be misinterpreted as a fall or just part of normal aging.

4. True. In many cases, spouses are the perpetrators.

5. False. It is considered a public health crisis. It is similar to how we have viewed domestic violence against women and children as a private matter. Elder abuse and domestic violence are public concerns for safety, health, human rights and dignity.

6. True. According to an FBI investigation in 2017, almost 50,000 Americans over 60 lost $342.5 million to financial exploitation and scams. Mistreatment of older adults is costly to society at an estimated billions of dollars.

7. True. We know that a growing number of older adults misuse opioids including oxycodone, hydrocodone and fentanyl. Others are taking or misusing the medications of older adults, a form of abuse.

8. True. These include poor hygiene, a shortage of food in the house, bedsores, giving uncharacteristic large cash gifts to caregivers, and other significant withdrawals. Sometimes there are physical signs such as a black eye or broken bones, which are blamed on a fall or other accident. An abuser can be physically and verbally aggressive and demeaning. Add to that signing legal documents whose meaning the victim is unable to explain.

9. False. Adult children have a role to play. It begins with a conversation. If parents can no longer manage finances, they can sign a financial power of attorney form giving the adult child that authority. Adult children can also encourage parents to sign up for direct deposits of their checks and introduce themselves to a representative of the parents’ bank to fill out a “trusted contact” form. This lets financial institutions put a temporary hold on funds when there is a reasonable suspicion of exploitation.

10. True. The recently signed Senior Safe Act protects financial advisers and firms from liability when reporting financial exploitation of an older client. The law also encourages banks and brokerage houses to train their employees to identify and report suspected elder fraud.

What to do in case you suspect elder abuse? In California, call adult protective services or the police department.

Be aware and responsible. We all have roles to play. Note that elder abuse can happen to anyone.

Contact Helen with your questions and comments at Helendenn@gmail.com.