Elder Abuse and Neglect
What We Can Do To Make A Difference
Problem Statement:
The problem of elder abuse and neglect is
prevalent in Wisconsin, and even in La
Crosse County. There are an increasing
number of older adults in our society, and
this is not going to change anytime soon.
This issue has been occurring for many
years, but it was not thoroughly discussed or
brought to the public’s attention until the
1970s. The issue of elder abuse and neglect
had been a hidden issue before this time.
Recognition and knowledge of the issue has
grown, but the problem of elder abuse
continues and goes underreported. Only 1 in
24 cases are reported to the appropriate
authorities (Weingarden, 2023).
Impact of the Problem:
According to the Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention (CDC), roughly 1 in 10 U.S.
adults 60 years of age and older experience
some form of abuse or neglect annually.
Impact on Victims:
•Can lead to long-term health problems in
the case of physical abuse
•Emotional problems – anxiety, depression,
PTSD
•Impact finances – unexpected medical bills
or result of financial exploitation
•Mortality
Impact on Loved Ones/Family:
•Feelings of sorrow and guilt
•Warry of sending loved ones to nursing
homes if abuse occurred there
Hailey Erdmann
RLST 343: Theology of Justice & Peace
Viterbo University
What is it:
•The World Health Organization defines elder
abuse as “a single or repeated act, or lack of
appropriate action, occurring within any
relationship where there is an expectation of
trust, which causes harm or distress to an
older person.”
Forms of Elder Abuse/Neglect
•Elder neglect occurs when caregivers fail
to meet the needs of the older adults,
including medical, social, and psychological
needs.
•Physical abuse occurs when violence,
force, or the threat of harm is used against
an older adult.
•Financial abuse or exploitation occurs
when someone takes money or property
from an older adult without their consent or
knowledge.
•Psychological abuse occurs through
intimidating, demeaning, or belittling of an
older adult, whether this occurs through
words or actions.
•Sexual abuse occurs when someone forces
unwanted sexual actions onto an older adult
•Nursing home abuse occurs when any of
the above forms of abuse occur in an
institutional setting such as a nursing home
or assisted living facility
How Can You Support Victims of
Elder Abuse/Neglect?
• Reach out to an older adult you know
• Spend time with older adults in your
community
• Recognize the signs of elder
abuse/neglect and report it
Theological Analysis
•The religious value of “loving your neighbor”
is at stake in this situation, as well as the
value of respecting one’s elders and not
harming another.
•These values are reflected in the Bible with
Jesus’ teachings of the commandments with
the most important being loving the Lord
with all your heart, and the second being
loving your neighbor as yourself. This is seen
in Jesus’ actions through always caring for
those in need and treating everyone as a
child of God.
•Leviticus 19:32 says, “Stand up in the
presence of the aged, show respect for the
elderly and revere your God. I am the LORD”
• This represents the importance of
respecting one’s elders and treating them
with respect. The problem of elder abuse and
neglect goes directly against this Old
Testament teaching.
•The ELCA church --> recognizes that there
is a growing elderly population.
•The ELCA also recognizes human dignity as
a gift of God and something that requires
participation from many individuals to
employ
• The ELCA church recognizes that negative
treatment “demean and harm” and are
“expressions of sin” (ELCA, 2011).
Act – Donate Now
You can act now to help end elder abuse by
donating to elderabuse.org, an organization
that is dedicated to ending elder abuse in
America and beyond. This organization acts
to end elder abuse and support victims by
doing the following:
• Research
• Direct service
• Public education
• Advocating for better laws and policies
Take action and help support their efforts to
end elder abuse by donating to their
organization.
QR Code
This below QR code will take you to
elderabuse.org where you can learn more
about elder abuse, donate to fund services,
and learn more about how you can help
victims and support those who have suffered
from elder abuse.
References:
ADRC. (n.d.). Adult Protective Services. Aging and disability resource center of la crosse
county. Retrieved April 20, 2023, from
https://www.lacrossecounty.org/adrc/adult.asp
How you can help end elder abuse. elderabuse.org. (n.d.). Retrieved April 20, 2023, from
https://elderabuse.org/how-you-can-help-end-elder-abuse/
The Nursing Home Abuse Center Team. (2021). Effects of elder abuse: How elder abuse
harms seniors & loved ones. Retrieved April 20, 2023, from
https://www.nursinghomeabusecenter.com/blog/effects-of-elder-abuse/
Weingarden Dubin J. (2023, Apr 06). How to Recognize Abuse in Older Adults.
AgingInPlace.org. https://aginginplace.org/finance-legal/guide-to-recognizing-
elder-abuse/