Return to the PIE Home PageThe Adult Protective Services Unit of the Franklin County Department of Human Services defines elderly as persons aged 60 and over. In 1995, there were 1,372 reported cases of elderly abuse, neglect and exploitation, of which 1,356 cases were substantiated. Substantiated cases of elderly abuse, neglect and exploitation have increased from 690 in 1985 to 1,356 in 1995 (a 96.5% increase). According to the administrator of Adult and Refugee Services of Franklin County, this increase is attributable to better education of the community in detecting and responding to instances of abuse, neglect or exploitation. Of all substantiated cases in 1995, the majority (84.2%) were cases of neglect.
According to the Adult Protective Services Unit, abuse is, "the infliction upon an adult by him/herself or others of injury, unreasonable confinement, intimidation, or cruel punishment with resulting physical harm, pain, or mental anguish." Neglect is defined as, "the failure of an adult or caretaker to provide goods or services necessary to avoid physical harm, mental anguish or mental illness." Exploitation is, "the unlawful or improper act of a caretaker using an adult or his resources for monetary or personal benefits, profit, or gain."
Type 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 Reported Abused 55 91 95 59 55 67 Neglected 623 724 790 886 1,020 965 Exploited 44 60 72 37 46 57 Totals 722 875 957 982 1,121 1,089 Substantiated Abused 51 87 59 54 53 66 Neglected 547 688 692 862 991 935 Exploited 92 59 60 35 42 54 Totals 690 834 811 951 1,086 1,055
Type 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 Reported Abused 67 116 122 155 127 124 Neglected 965 937 1,010 1,013 1,133 1,154 Exploited 57 66 75 85 99 94 Totals 1,089 1,119 1,207 1,253 1,359 1,372 Substantiated Abused 66 110 121 155 126 121 Neglected 935 907 985 1,000 1,117 1,142 Exploited 54 62 72 84 97 93 Totals 1,055 1,079 1,178 1,239 1,340 1,356
Source: Franklin County Department of Human Services, Adult Protective Services Unit
Filename: SD-042