Reports of elder abuse on the rise

As the state's population of older residents continues to grow, so, too, does the number of reports of possible abuse or neglect of these Oregonians.

The Oregon Office of Adult Abuse Prevention and Investigations' (OAAPI) 2014 third annual report shows that last year, there was a 10-percent increase in the number of investigations conducted into the abuse and mistreatment of vulnerable Oregonians. In 2014, there were more than 38,000 cases of possible abuse reported while in 2013, there were more than 35,000 reports. This population includes older adults and those with physical, intellectual/developmental or mental-health disabilities living either in their own homes and communities or in licensed facilities.

From received reports in 2013, almost half, or 16,500, were assigned to investigation. In 2014, the number investigated grew by almost half to 18,185. As in 2013, in 2014 the most common type of abuses were financial exploitation and neglect, and there an uptick in self neglect as well.

The increase of abuse in communities, versus licensed facility settings, accounted for the majority of abuse cases, with 9,198 allegations of abuse being reported and 2,538 adults confirmed abused. This tracks with additional findings that show non-mandatory reporters in communities, such as bankers and financial service workers, continued across the board to outnumber mandatory reporters in reporting possible abuse or neglect by a 51 to 49 percent margin, said Joe Merrifield, who manages the research and prevention unit of OAAPI.

"We know there are more incidents of abuse because more reports are being made, so some of the increase is a factor of more reporting," Merrifield said. "In facilities, though, where the number of licensed beds has remained relatively stable, staffs get mandatory, targeted training, so we will continue that. But in the communities, it's not as easy, so we will work to expand our outreach there. There is still a fear among many to talk about abuse; it's so often associated with a sense of shame. We need to reach out to and teach these vulnerable populations about their rights."

Merrifield said Census data shows that since 2010, more than 50,000 Oregon residents have turned 65 annually. He said this annual growth of aging baby boomers is expected to continue for another decade, adding nearly 300,000 older adults to the state's population.

"Obviously, not everyone over 65 is vulnerable," Merrifield said. "Many are living longer, healthier lives, but it's likely we'll continue to see an increase in the number of cases reported as well as the number of cases investigated and the number of vulnerable adults abused as a result."

Rebecca Fetters, the quality assurance and prevention coordinator at OAAPI, said financial exploitation tends to be more common in the community, where vulnerable adults might be isolated in their homes and not have family or other social support systems nearby. Neglect is more prevalent in licensed or facility settings, according to the report.

The OAAPI has created a toll-free, new-abuse reporting hotline for children and adults. Its message is available in English and Spanish. The number is (855) 503-SAFE (7233).