The issue of elderly abuse came to light this week during a hearing in Washington, before the Senate Special Committee on Aging.
While numerous issues affecting seniors have gathered momentum in recent months, including Alzheimer's treatment and research news, active retirement options for baby boomers, and home health care options as part of an assisted living plan, the topic of elderly abuse has not gained much prominence. 
This changed when actor, Mickey Rooney, presented a statement to the Senate Committee describing his personal account of abuse.
The 90 year old entertainment star alleges that his step-son and wife withheld food and medication, isolated and verbally abused him, and controlled his life and assets.
The point of the testimony, it seemed, was to demonstrate that even the "rich and famous" are not immune to situations of abuse. With this in mind, Rooney's testimony backed up the notion that conditions similar to his happen every day, to all types of seniors.
With the elderly segment of the population expected to grow from a current 13%, to over 20% in the next two decades, the issue joins the ranks of concerns facing seniors.
The Government Accountability Office (GAO) was directed to investigate the issue, and Rooney's testimony preceded the release of the GAO report.
The most striking finding by the GAO was "that 14.1 percent of noninstitutionalized older adults had experienced physical, psychological, or sexual abuse; neglect; or financial exploitation in the past year."
An official from Missouri questioned some of the report's information, but her comments seemed only to enhance the notion that elderly abuse is not just a serious problem, but also one that poses challenges in coping with.
Challenges associated with addressing the issue of elderly abuse, include:
- Funding, and staffing, state and federal agencies charged with focusing on the subject.
- Sorting out the types of abuse seniors are susceptible to, including physical, financial, and sexual.
- Identifying individuals suffering from abuse, especially when they are living in a facility where communication is hindered, either by lack of access to a phone, or by the presence of the actual abuser, nearby.
With the voice of an entertainment legend calling for Americans to recognize these challenges, there is hope the issue of elderly abuse will begin to be considered with solutions in mind.
(Image Courtesy of dbking on Flickr)
