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"The Bridge Crossed That Cost" – When "Pushing Too Hard" Becomes Elder Abuse
Aging in America Podcast: "The Bridge Crossed That Cost" – When "Pushing Too Hard" Becomes Elder Abuse written and produced by Tam LawrenceEpisode Summary:
What happens when a family’s "encouragement" crosses into coercion? In this eye-opening episode, we investigate how pressuring an elder to work beyond their physical or mental capacity—against medical advice—can constitute elder abuse. Whether it’s a spouse insisting they "tough it out," an adult child manipulating them to keep funding household expenses, or a caregiver dismissing their need to retire, these demands can escalate into legal exploitation, neglect, or even wrongful death.Key Discussion Points:
What happens when a family’s "encouragement" crosses into coercion? In this eye-opening episode, we investigate how pressuring an elder to work beyond their physical or mental capacity—against medical advice—can constitute elder abuse. Whether it’s a spouse insisting they "tough it out," an adult child manipulating them to keep funding household expenses, or a caregiver dismissing their need to retire, these demands can escalate into legal exploitation, neglect, or even wrongful death.Key Discussion Points:
- Legal Definition of Abuse:
Forcing an elder to work despite documented health risks may qualify as financial exploitation (unauthorized use of their labor) or psychological abuse (coercion under duress).
State statutes (e.g., California Welfare & Institutions Code § 15610.30) explicitly include "deprivation of goods or services necessary to avoid physical harm" as abuse.
The Elder Justice Act (2010) and Adult Protective Services (APS) laws in all 50 states protect against such harm, with some classifying it as a felony (e.g., Texas Penal Code § 22.04). - By the Numbers:
1 in 6 elders experience abuse yearly (WHO), yet only 1 in 24 cases are reported (NCEA).
Financial exploitation accounts for 60% of cases, with family members as perpetrators in 90% (National Adult Protective Services Association). - Can Courts Remove the Abuser?
Yes. Courts can issue protective orders (e.g., restraining orders) or appoint a guardian/conservator to override harmful decisions.
In severe cases, criminal charges (e.g., neglect, endangerment) may lead to the abuser’s removal from the home. Example: 2019 Ohio v. Richardson, where a son was evicted and prosecuted for forcing his diabetic mother to work until she was hospitalized. - What Listeners Can Do:
Red flags: Sudden weight loss, unexplained injuries, or isolation from friends.
Report: Call the National Elder Abuse Hotline (1-800-677-1116) or local APS.
Legal recourse: Petitions for guardianship or civil lawsuits under undue influence claims.
Why This Matters: Elder abuse isn’t always bruises or stolen cash—it’s often the slow erosion of autonomy under the guise of "care." Tune in to learn how to recognize, resist, and remedy these invisible violations.
Sources: Elder Justice Act, NCEA, APA, state penal codes.
Sponsor by Synerkare
Sponsor by Better Aging Bureau
Sponsored by Exposure Plus TV
Sponsored by Noblefy https://www.noblefyi.com
Contact [email protected] (host is available for interviews and media coverage}
View all episodes
By Investigative Journalist, Tam LawrenceAging in America Podcast: "The Bridge Crossed That Cost" – When "Pushing Too Hard" Becomes Elder Abuse written and produced by Tam LawrenceEpisode Summary:
What happens when a family’s "encouragement" crosses into coercion? In this eye-opening episode, we investigate how pressuring an elder to work beyond their physical or mental capacity—against medical advice—can constitute elder abuse. Whether it’s a spouse insisting they "tough it out," an adult child manipulating them to keep funding household expenses, or a caregiver dismissing their need to retire, these demands can escalate into legal exploitation, neglect, or even wrongful death.Key Discussion Points:
What happens when a family’s "encouragement" crosses into coercion? In this eye-opening episode, we investigate how pressuring an elder to work beyond their physical or mental capacity—against medical advice—can constitute elder abuse. Whether it’s a spouse insisting they "tough it out," an adult child manipulating them to keep funding household expenses, or a caregiver dismissing their need to retire, these demands can escalate into legal exploitation, neglect, or even wrongful death.Key Discussion Points:
- Legal Definition of Abuse:
Forcing an elder to work despite documented health risks may qualify as financial exploitation (unauthorized use of their labor) or psychological abuse (coercion under duress).
State statutes (e.g., California Welfare & Institutions Code § 15610.30) explicitly include "deprivation of goods or services necessary to avoid physical harm" as abuse.
The Elder Justice Act (2010) and Adult Protective Services (APS) laws in all 50 states protect against such harm, with some classifying it as a felony (e.g., Texas Penal Code § 22.04). - By the Numbers:
1 in 6 elders experience abuse yearly (WHO), yet only 1 in 24 cases are reported (NCEA).
Financial exploitation accounts for 60% of cases, with family members as perpetrators in 90% (National Adult Protective Services Association). - Can Courts Remove the Abuser?
Yes. Courts can issue protective orders (e.g., restraining orders) or appoint a guardian/conservator to override harmful decisions.
In severe cases, criminal charges (e.g., neglect, endangerment) may lead to the abuser’s removal from the home. Example: 2019 Ohio v. Richardson, where a son was evicted and prosecuted for forcing his diabetic mother to work until she was hospitalized. - What Listeners Can Do:
Red flags: Sudden weight loss, unexplained injuries, or isolation from friends.
Report: Call the National Elder Abuse Hotline (1-800-677-1116) or local APS.
Legal recourse: Petitions for guardianship or civil lawsuits under undue influence claims.
Why This Matters: Elder abuse isn’t always bruises or stolen cash—it’s often the slow erosion of autonomy under the guise of "care." Tune in to learn how to recognize, resist, and remedy these invisible violations.
Sources: Elder Justice Act, NCEA, APA, state penal codes.
Sponsor by Synerkare
Sponsor by Better Aging Bureau
Sponsored by Exposure Plus TV
Sponsored by Noblefy https://www.noblefyi.com
Contact [email protected] (host is available for interviews and media coverage}