Elder Assistance Daily » arizona http://www.eadaily.com Resource and Information for Seniors and Their Loved Ones Mon, 23 Jan 2012 02:34:46 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 Arizona: Elder Abuse Data and Statistics http://www.eadaily.com/05/arizona-elder-abuse-data-and-statistics/ http://www.eadaily.com/05/arizona-elder-abuse-data-and-statistics/#comments Sun, 05 Apr 2009 20:28:28 +0000 Elder Abuse Daily http://www.eadaily.com/?p=904 Maricopa County, Arizona, Adult Protection Services receives approximately 10,000 of cases of abuse each year, with many of them involving elder abuse.

Common Profile of an Elder Abuse Victim in AZ:

  • A majority of the victims are female and 75 years old
    and older
  • Suffer from physical and/or mental impairments
  • Victim generally knows the abuser

arizona-elder-abuse-statistics-chart1Arizona Statistics

- More than 75% of Arizona’s Adult Protection Services involves exploitation or financial abuse.

- About 20.24% of cases received involve abuse, which includes physical and emotional or psychological

- Under 20% involve neglect, which means that a caregiver or staff member of a long-term care facility such as a nursing home or assisted living center, failed to provide adequate levels of daily necessities such as food and water.

Note: Cases of alleged abuse likely involve more than one type of abuse. Statistics shown account for all reported incidences.

Arizona Elder Abuse Statistics

According to EADaily.com estimates, Maricopa County has nearly 66,587 cases of elder abuse (reported and unreported) every year. This accounts for 54% of all cases of abuse in Arizona. Pima, has approximately 21,000 cases of abuse annually, followed by Yavapai County.

EADaily.com also estimates that Phoenix has over 13,500 elder abuse cases ever year, with a majority of those cases going unreported.

The following reveals Arizona elder abuse statistics for each county in the state. Elder population by county uses 2007 census estimates for individuals 60 years and older.

A multiplier of .11045575 was used to estimate cases of elder abuse. The multiplier was derived by taking the 5,000,000 estimated cases of elder abuse in the U.S., both reported and unreported, divided by the number of individuals 60 years of age and older by the U.S. census.


Arizona Counties

Elderly Population*

Cases of Elder Abuse**
Apache County 10,802 1,193
Cochise County 29,514 3,260
Coconino County 16,120 1,781
Gila County 14,548 1,607
Graham County 5,878 649
Greenlee County 1,204 133
La Paz County 7,763 857
Maricopa County 602,836 66,587
Mohave County 53,732 5,935
Navajo County 18,147 2,004
Pima County 191,543 21,157
Pinal County 54,390 6,008
Santa Cruz County 7,368 814
Yavapai County 60,863 6,723
Yuma County 42,677 4,714
Grand Total 1,117,385 123,422

* Elderly defined as 60 years of age and older.
** Estimated # of reported and unreported cases of elder abuse.
]]> http://www.eadaily.com/05/arizona-elder-abuse-data-and-statistics/feed/ 0 Arizona: Elder Abuse http://www.eadaily.com/04/arizona-elder-abuse/ http://www.eadaily.com/04/arizona-elder-abuse/#comments Sat, 04 Apr 2009 21:59:04 +0000 Elder Abuse Daily http://www.eadaily.com/?p=895 Thousands of cases of alleged abuse, neglect and/or exploitation is reported in Arizona each year, with many of the cases involving an elderly person.  Self-neglect is one of the more common allegations.  Self-neglect occurs when the basic needs, such as food, water and shelter, of an elderly person is not met.  Less common reported cases also include neglect, physical, financial, psychological and/or sexual abuse.
The exact number of elder abuse cases in Arizona remains unknown as cases of abuse are often reported.There are, however, signs that will help people identify any suspected cases of abuse.  The key is to be aware of the elder’s surroundings, listen to the eldelry person and more importantly, speak up when you suspect any cases of abuse.



The following lists the various categories of elder abuse.  While the explanations cover common warning signs, there will be other visual or emotional indicators of abuse.

Physical Abuse Physical elder abuse is a form of maltreatment where a person inflicts physical harm on an elder.  This form of abuse is commonly committed by a family member, caregiver, or a staff member of assisted living facilities or nursing homes.  Infliction does not have to be intentional for it to be considered as physical abuse.  Many cases of physical abuse are unintentional and a result of an individual using poor judgement and corporal punishment with an elderly person.

Signs and SymptomsArizona, as with other states across the United States, uses the following common visual indicators to reveal possible cases of elder abuse:

  • Skin abrasions or rashes
  • Bruises or burn marks around the victim’s head, arms, legs and/or stomach
  • Broken or fractured bones
  • Bite marks
  • Pain when gently touched

Additionally, there are non-visual clues that may reveal signs of physical abuse.  These warning signs include:

  • Inability to remember how an injury occurred
  • Claims that the injury was an accident caused by him/herself or another individual
  • Unwillingness to discuss a physical injury
Financial Abuse / Exploitation Financial elder abuse in Arizona is one of the more common types of abuse that occurs.  As the seniors continue to grow older, they must place their trust in individuals and institutions to take care of them.  This includes all financial related matters.  As the abuser defrauds an elderly person of his or her money, the abuser builds a greater control of the elder’s life. Financial abuse can come in many different forms.  The following signs and symptoms lists the common types of exploitation.

Signs and Symptoms

  • Unauthorized ATM/Cash withdrawals by a family member, caregiver or stranger
  • Unauthorized use of credit cards or checks
  • Denying an elder access to his or her own funds
  • Family member or caregiver spends the elderly victim’s money on him/herself
  • Real estate property transfers
  • High-end equipment or jewelry goes missing or is “sold” to an unknown person
Emotional / Psychological Abuse Emotional or Psychological abuse is when an individual or group directly or indirectly inflicts emotional harm on an elderly person. This type of abuse can be either verbal or non-verbal.  Common types of elderly emotional abuse in Arizona are humiliation, intimidation, isolation, embarrassment and threats.

Signs and Symptoms

  • Constant feeling of depression or low self-esteem
  • Frequent suicidal thoughts
  • Feelings of hopelessness or anxiety
  • Sleep deprivation or insomnia
  • Change in appetite or livelihood
Neglect / Self-Neglect Arizona describes neglect as the inability or refusal of a family member, caregiver or other individuals responsible for an elderly person, to provide basic necessities such as shelter, clothing, water and food, that creates a risk of injury or even death of the elder.

Signs and Symptoms

  • Bed sores
  • Excessive body odor
  • Lack of necessary medical and mental health treatments
  • Poor living conditions
  • Under or over medication
]]> http://www.eadaily.com/04/arizona-elder-abuse/feed/ 0 Arizona http://www.eadaily.com/06/reporting-elder-abuse-arizona/ http://www.eadaily.com/06/reporting-elder-abuse-arizona/#comments Fri, 06 Mar 2009 07:53:57 +0000 Elder Abuse Daily http://www.eadaily.com/?p=278
To report elder abuse in Arizona, contact:
  • Arizona Nursing Home Elder Abuse or Long Term Care – (877) 767-2385; TDD (877) 815-8390
  • Domestic/Community Elder Abuse – (877) 767-2385




According to azag.gov, Arizona elder abuse is defined as either one of the following:

  • Abuse
    • sexual abuse or sexual assault
    • unreasonable confinement
    • injury caused by negligent acts or omissions
    • intentional infliction of physical harm
  • Neglect
    • Deprivation of food, water, medication, medical services, shelter, cooling, heating, or other services necessary to maintain minimum physical or mental health.
  • Exploitation
    • Taking advantage of an incapacitated or vulernable elderly for financial gain.

While anyone can report elder abuse, certain professionals such as doctors, dentists and law enforcement personnel are required by law to report elder abuse in Arizona.

Reports can be made anonymously by calling the number listed above.

——-

Arizona Counties:
Apache County Mohave County
Cochise County Navajo County
Coconino County Pima County
Gila County Pinal County
Graham County Santa Cruz County
Greenlee County Yavapai County
La Paz County Yuma County
Maricopa County


Arizona Cities include (not limited to):

Apache Junction, Avondale, Bullhead City, Casa Grande, Casas Adobes, Catalina Foothills, Chandler, Drexel Heights, Flagstaff, Fortuna Foothills, Fountain Hills, Gilbert, Glendale, Kingman, Lake Havasu City, Mesa, Nogales, Oro Valley, Peoria, Phoenix, Prescott, Prescott Valley, Scottsdale, Sierra Vista, Sun City, Sun City West, Surprise, Tempe, Tucson, Yuma

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