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Ann Landers Column
Life with two 'mothers' not so lovely
By Ann Landers
Syndicated Columnist
Dear Ann Landers:
A recent letter about a 93-year-old man who was taken advantage of sounded all too familiar to me. As our society grows, so does the incidence of elder abuse. Here is some important information on this subject:
A 1998 study by the National Center on Elder Abuse found that 500,000 older Americans were victims of elder abuse each year. Ninety percent of elder abuse is perpetrated by family members. Sixty-six percent of all victims are women. Victims are two to three times more likely to be over the age of 80. Abusers often have problems with drugs, alcohol and emotional instability. Often they were financially dependent on the elderly person they abused.
While attentive and caring children can make a huge difference, neighbors also play an important role in identifying elder abuse and notifying the authorities. This includes ministers, shopkeepers, doctors, nurses, social workers, mail carriers -- anyone who comes in contact with the elderly.
The sad truth is that victims of elder abuse often cannot seek help themselves or are too ashamed to do so. Please encourage your readers to break the silence and report elder abuse. Readers can call the local Adult Protective Services agency (listed under the Dept. of Social Services or Dept. of Human Services) or check out the Web site of the National Center on Elder Abuse at www.aoa.gov/NCEA for the state listing.
• Mary S. Twomey, Institute on Aging, San Francisco, CA
Dear Mary Twomey:
Your letter is sure to make a huge difference in the lives of many abused elderly folks. Bless you for providing specific suggestions on what can be done to help. Now, dear readers, the rest is up to you.
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