The service provider should then be able to assess the specific needs of the elderly person and give advice about the best option for living facilities. Becoming older and more frail often also means being the victim of not only increasing financial constraints, but also of various types of abuse. Elderly abuse is a concern that has increasingly come to the attention of authorities as an unfortunate by-product of an increasingly aging society. Abuse might be perpetrated by family members or professionals and could be the result of financial or emotional strain, work stress, or more severe conditions such as mental illness. The aging service provider has some particular duties and responsibilities when it comes to elder abuse.

One of these duties is reporting suspected cases of elder abuse. The Elder Abuse and Neglect Act (Illinois Department on Aging, 2012), for example, provides for the ability of any person to report a suspected case of elderly abuse. A person who reports such a case or cooperates with an investigation is immune from criminal or civil liability. The aim is to stop the abuse and prevent further abuse by providing counseling or other important services.

Some professionals who work with the elderly are also required by the Elder Abuse and Neglect Act to report suspected cases of abuse. Service providers to the elderly are among the group of professionals who are so obliged. What is important here is therefore that the professional must be aware of the signs of abuse. It is also important to be aware that an elderly person who is abused might not be inclined to be forthcoming about the situation. This could be the result of shame or emotional abuse to the point where the person might believe he or she deserves the maltreatment. The professional must also be aware of the different types of abuse that might be leveled against an elderly person. Not all of these abuse types are physical, which often makes it difficult to identify when a person is being financially or emotionally abused. The professional who provides services to this sector of society should therefore be well versed in the signs...

Pertinent information such as the victim's and abuser's name, address, and other relevant information should be given as far as the professional has access to these, for example. Importantly, the professional reporting the abuse should be able to provide the specific conditions leading to the belief that abuse is taking place. Other information includes the level of immediate danger the abuse victim is in, the best time for contact, and whether he or she is aware that the situation is being reported. It is also important to let the field investigator know of any potential danger in investigating the report, such as that the abuser might be in possession of weapons. Most importantly, the service provider should be aware of that abuse is an issue faced by some elderly people, and that certain signs can indicate that abuse is taking place.
In conclusion, there are many different issues faced by the increasing population of elderly people in the world today. Demographics, housing, and abuse are only three of the issues that service providers must be aware of and navigate in order to provide an optimal level of assistance to this population group. Growing older can be a rewarding experience, depending upon the level of service that is available. Hence, service providers should ensure that this level of service is optimal and effective.

References

Department of Health and Human Services. (2011). Minority Aging. Retrieved from: http://www.aoa.gov/AoARoot/Aging_Statistics/minority_aging/Index.aspx

Illinois Aging Services (2008). Retrieved from: http://illinoisagingservices.org/

Illinois Department on Aging (2012). Elder Abuse Prevention. Retrieved from: http://www.state.il.us/aging/1abuselegal/abuselegal-main.htm

Niles-Yokum, K. And Wagner, D.L. (2011). The Aging Networks. (7th Ed.). New York: Springer Publishing Company.