The underserved elder citizen population in the United States is growing at an unprecedented rate and becoming more demographically and economically diverse. It is predicted that by 2040, the elder population will reach 80.8 million, and by 2060, it will increase to 94.7 million, with the elder population being 25 percent of the total population in the United States.1 With this increase in the elder citizen population, police officers are increasingly being tasked with addressing unique challenges faced by older adults regardless of whether these individuals are victims, offenders, or at-risk community members. These challenges include physical and mental health issues as well as financial constraints or issues. Related to health, elder adults can suffer from chronic medical conditions and disabilities, such as diabetes, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, arthritis, hearing and vision loss, and injuries from falls, which can reduce their quality of life, making them more at risk.2 Similarly, a 2016 report found that more than 20 percent of elders experience depression, anxiety, dementia, Alzheimer’s, and other cognitive disorders.3
Related to financial limitations, elders subsisting on a fixed income often fall well below the poverty level, indicating they could struggle to pay for necessities. Furthermore, since many elders have only Medicare and Medicaid, which may not cover all medical costs, elders may avoid seeking health care, potentially leading to further issues. An additional concern for many elders is the fear of homelessness. Although a definitive number is not available, there is a small population of elders experiencing homelessness, which can create additional health issues and accelerate the aging process.4
Moreover, elders are particularly vulnerable to various types of victimization, such as financial scams. Elders are also at serious risk of being physically and sexually abused and neglected by family members, caregivers, and others. Statistics show that, of those living at home, 1 in 10 elders experience abuse, while the rates increase to 1 in 6 for those in community settings.5 However, many do not report their abuse or neglect out of fear of their abuser, while others are unable to report it because of degenerative diseases or cognitive disabilities.
The police face some unique challenges when responding to and meeting the needs of elder community members. Communication can be a challenge if the elder citizen has a physical or mental health issue preventing them from communicating effectively. Some elders may hesitate to speak to officers out of shame or fear. Officers may need to gain the experience or skills to communicate with elder people. Recognizing physical or mental health issues such as dementia, signs of abuse or neglect, or other issues faced by elders can be a challenge for police officers due to a lack of training on these topics at the academies and agencies. Working with elder community members can require extended time, which can be difficult for police agencies due to high call volumes and officer shortages.
