Being old also often means being sick, handicapped and weak, all of which makes the aged dependent on others and afraid to report being abused, lest they be left without caretakers. And some caretakers are experiencing their own financial problems, including being unemployed or having low-paying jobs. They are much more likely to abuse the aged, according to the report to be considered Tuesday by the Board of Supervisors. Elderly abuse also is common in cultures that value youth over age and experience, as is often the case in the United States. A lack of affordable housing common to many parts of California can force family members to live side by side with their older relatives in cramped quarters, the report notes.
Tensions often rise.
So does abuse. Experts recommend that the elderly try to make friends. Having friends not only provides a support network, but also increases the chances that cases of abuse will be reported. The aged also are encouraged to join clubs or organizations, be as independent as possible and control their finances. Some organizations, such as the U.S. Postal Service, used to train their mail carriers to look out for possible cases of abuse when making their rounds.