It can also include self-neglect. Iowa ranks first in the nation in the percentage of persons over age 84. About 1000 cases of elder abuse were reported in Iowa last year. Experts believe that this is only the tip of the iceberg, however, as only one in fourteen cases of adult abuse is estimated to be actually reported. Like most forms of family violence, adult abuse can occur behind a fa ade of warmth and caring.
Adult abuse is felt to have a number of contributing factors.
Family members willingly, in most cases with the best intentions, provide the greatest amount of care and support they can give but are overwhelmed by the physical, emotional, and financial aspects of care-giving. The caregiver might be financially dependent on resources of the adult for whom they are providing care. Sometimes there is resentment on the part of the caregiver from unresolved past mistreatment by the now dependent adult. Some of the signs of adult abuse include injuries that are not easily explained or multiple injuries in various stages of healing, obvious lack of personal care, unexplained malnutrition, unexplained poverty, or increased anxiety or depression. Elder and dependent adult abuse is illegal.