Spilyay tymoo., September 28, 2006, Page 6, Image 10

Together Our Resources Carv Help'
Beliefs that may contribute to violence in
our elderly/disability community ...
“S he’s m en tal/sen ile/crazy .”
The Elderly/ A nd People W ith
“It’s too m uch tro u b le.”
“T h ey can ’t u n d erstan d w hat I ’m saying anyw ay.”
VisaJbilities Commxuuties
W hM You .Say Says A Lot About What You Boitevo
(examples o f People First Language)
Domestic Elder Abuse Comes Out of the Closet
Can you see a homeless person or “street bum” committing elder abuse
in the home of your grandmother or elderly father? It is possible that an
elder abuse perpetrator could be a stranger, but it is far more likely that
in domestic settings the elder abuser is known to the elder. According to
the National Center on Elder Abuse, it has been estimated that roughly
two-thirds of all elder abuse perpetrators are family members, most often
the victim’s adult child or spouse. Research has shown that the abusers
in many instances are financially dependent on the elder’s resources and
have problems related to alcohol and drugs.
Domestic elder abuse generally refers to any of several forms of maltreat­
ment of an older person by someone who has a special relationship with
the elder (a spouse, a sibling, a child, a friend, or a caregiver), that occur
in the elder’s home, or in the home of a caregiver.
The major types of Elder Abuse categories are physical abuse, sexual
abuse, emotional or psychological abuse, neglect, abandonment, and
financial or material exploitation (theft).
The idea that what happens at home is “private” can be a major factor in
keeping an older person stuck in an abusive situation. Those outside the
family who observe or suspect abuse or neglect may fail to intervene
because they believe “it’s a family problem and none of my business” or
because they are afraid they are misinterpreting a private quarrel. Shame
and embarrassment often make it difficult for older persons to reveal
abuse. They don’t want others to know that such events occur in their
families. Many times the abused elder loves their abuser and does not
want to see the abuser arrested or involved in the criminal system, yet at
the same time the elder wants the abuse to stop.
Religious or ethical belief systems sometimes allow for mistreatment of
family members, especially women. Those who participate in these
behaviors do not consider them abusive. In some cultures, women’s
basic rights are not honored, and older women in these cultures may not
realize they are being abused. They probably could not call for help out­
side the family and may not even know that help is available.
■ If you suspect someone you care about is being abused or neglected, you
can help. You do not need absolute proof to report suspected abuse.
You do not have to give your name. All calls are handled confidentially.
Call “911” to report Elder Abuse if you believe a crime is being commit­
ted.
M ark M atthews, Manager Victims o f Crime Services
Confederated Tribes o f Warm Springs
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6
You Could Say:
People with disabilities
She has a cognitive disability
She has autism
H e has Down Syndrome
She has a learning disability
She has a physical disability
She’s of short stature
She has a m ental health disability
Person who has a mobility im pairm ent
Person who is deaf or hard of hearing
People who have a disability
R ather Than:
The handicapped or disabled
She’s retarded
She’s autistic
H e’s Down’s
She’s learning disabled
She’s crippled, lame, quadriplegic
She’s a m idget/dwarf
She’s mentally disturbed, crazy, wacko,
psycho, m ental case, etc.
Confined, tied, bound to a wheelchair
D eaf and D um b
People who suffer from or are afflicted
Are you an Ally to People with Disabilities?
Invisible disabilities can include psychiatric, cognitive, or sen­
sory disabilities, and impairments such as epilepsy, brain
injuries, heart disease, multiple sclerosis (MS), and Crohn’s
disease. Even people with the same disability may be affected
differently, have different needs, and perceive their disability
differently. The key is to empower the individual to make
their own choices.
m
Barriers to Receiving Services Specific to the
Elderly and People with Disabilities Communities
• Victims may not self-identify as
abused.
• Fear of retaliation.
• Loss of income or assets.
• Loss of health benefits.
• Isolation.
• Health, cognitive and/or func­
tional status.
• Mobility, transportation or sen­
sory issues.
• Reaction of family members
and/or community.
• Fear of starting over.
• Complexity of public benefits/
scarcity of social services.
• Concerns about capacity to
make decisions.
• Victim may be caregiver for
abuser.
• Abuser may be caregiver of vic­
tim.
• Feelings of shame and self­
blame.
• Assault and abuse in institu­
tions.
• Lack of affordable legal serv­
ices.
• Need for emergency caregiver.
• Accessibility of shelters and
community resources.
• Fear of losing custody of chil­
dren.
• Generational, religious or cul*
tural values that make it less-
likely for separation or divorce.
• Fear of shelter/group home
placement.