The Elder Justice Program (Elder Abuse Prevention & Intervention Services) provides assistance, counseling and additional support services for abused older adult on Staten Island.

What is Elder Abuse?

Elder abuse is the interactions, which are harmful to the well-being and health of a person 60 years of age and older by a trusted party (child, grandchild, spouse, intimate partner, home health aide, etc.). Often unreported, it is estimated that 76 out of 1,000 older Americans are abused every year. These elders, unaware of alternatives, often remain in unsafe situations because of family or cultural pressures, fear, and economic or emotional dependency.

 

Types of Elder Abuse

Physical

Acts that injure or cause physical pain such as hitting, burning, cutting, pushing, forcible restraint and sexual coercion.

Psychological/Emotional

The willful infliction of mental or emotional anguish by threat, humiliation, intimidation, or other abusive conduct.

Verbal

Yelling at, berating, name-calling, criticizing, or other verbal communication intended to cause harm.

Financial

The illegal or unethical exploitation of funds, including coerced transfers of property or assets, forgery, and fraudulent scams.

Neglect

The refusal or failure to perform caregiving responsibilities causing harm to the dependent elder through withholding food, shelter, clothing, medicine, or assistive devices.

Signs/Symptoms of Elder Abuse:

  • Contradictory or inadequate explanation of bruises, fractures, or burns
  • Dehydrated or malnourished appearance
  • Heavy sedation
  • Isolation
  • Anxiety, depression, withdrawal, resignation
  • Reluctance to speak in front of caregiver
  • Shame, fear, anger, defensiveness
  • Unusual financial activity ~ withdrawals
  • Closing of bank accounts

Risk Factors:

  • Substance abuse
  • Dependency
  • Mental or physical illness
  • Unemployment
  • Family history of abusiveness
  • Crowded living conditions
  • Caregiver stress

Interventions

Elder abuse is a multi-dimensional problem requiring involvement from various community resources to address:

  • Identification
  • Protection
  • Support
  • Treatment
  • Prevention
  • Education

CASC’s Elder Justice Program Offers:

  • Individual Counseling
  • Safety Planning
  • Educational Presentations
  • Advocacy & Support
  • Lock Replacement
  • Support Groups
  • Transportation
  • Entitlements & Benefits Assistance

**ALL CALLS ARE CONFIDENTIAL**