Abuse of the elderly

American society is growing ever more violent. The elderly are not exempted from this epidemic despite legislation in all 50 states to protect vulnerable adults. It is unclear whether the incidence of elder abuse is actually rising; certainly the number of elderly and reports of abuse are rising. Case reports of elder abuse only first appeared in the medical literature some 20 years ago. The crime is especially heinous as the perpetrator is in a position of trust, similar to child abuse. It took society years to recognize the serious problem of child abuse. Elder abuse seems doomed to repeat that ponderous course. Like child abuse, elder mistreatment tends to be episodic and recurrent rather than an isolated event. It tends to escalate and rarely spontaneously resolves unless major environmental changes occur. In fact, elderly abuse is only slightly less common than child abuse. States on average spend about $22 per child for youth protective services, but only $2.90 per elder for their protective services, although some 40% of reported abuse involves elders.