Elder Abuse on Long Island: Understanding the Issue
About 260,000 older adults in New York are likely affected by elder abuse, but stigma leads to underreporting, according to experts.
A study by the "Under the Radar: New York State Elder Abuse Prevalence Study" found that for every one reported case, approximately 23 cases go unreported.
If your adult child were abusing you financially, emotionally or physically, what would you do?
Experts, like Jeanne Cacciatore, director of the Safe Observant Seniors program, work to address this issue on Long Island.
- Approximately 260,000 older adults are victims of physical, sexual, financial, or psychological abuse each year.
- The 2011 study remains the most recent and definitive research on elder abuse prevalence, confirmed by the state Office for the Aging.
Author's summary: Elder abuse affects many on Long Island, often going unreported due to stigma.