Similarities Between Elder Abuse And Child Abuse

Elder abuse and child abuse are very common in our society and has been occurring for a long time now. One of the main things that makes elder abuse different from child abuse is the age of the person being abused. An estimated 1.5 million cases of elder abuse occurs in the U.S. annually, according to one congressional study group mentioned in the book (Wallace & Roberson, 2015, p. 181). The text defines elder abuse as the conduct which results in harming or injuring an elder physically, psychologically, causing material harm, or neglect (Wallace & Roberson, 2015, p. 190). However, authorities cannot agree on a definition for elder abuse (Wallace & Roberson, 2015, p. 190). One way elder abuse is different from child abuse is, elders are often targeted for crimes involving finances more than any other type of victims (Wallace & Roberson, 2015, p. 187). Criminals are aware that elder people are forgetful and vulnerable therefore they make them their targets. In 2012, about 2.1 million elders were victims of identity theft (Morgan & Mason, 2014). Victims of these types of crimes are greatly impacted, although they do not endure any physical harm. This type of abuse is
181). However they are different in their own ways. Elder victims of abuse are impacted in different ways than child abused are impacted. Elder abuse can be suffered by anyone no matter how rich, poor, educated, or uneducated a person is (Wallace & Roberson, 2015, p. 190). I think it is a shame that our elders cannot live comfortable in society today without having to be cautious about becoming a victim. One thing that needs to be done about elder abuse is there needs to be more exposure about it and more effort put forth from society as well as law enforcement when it comes to protecting our elders. After all, without them, there would be no