Myths & Facts about Older Adults and People with Disabilities

Are you stereotyping?  It is important for each of us to evaluate our own ideas about older adults and people with disabilities.  To be able to increase our knowledge we must be open to new ideas and to eliminating potentially dangerous assumptions.  Let’s consider some of the more common misunderstandings.

Myth vs. Fact -1 Myth- Older adults are all alike. Myth- People with disabilities are all alike. Fact- Each adult is unique; life experiences will be different; what each person has learned and how he/she will respond is unique.

Myth vs. Fact -2 Myth- The majority of older adults are senile or demented. Fact- Only 5% of those over 65 will develop dementia.

Myth vs. Fact -3 Myth- Older adults are set in their ways. Fact- Many older people are flexible and adjust to many life changes.

Myth vs. Fact -4 Myth - Older adults are “Cranky”. Fact - People who are difficult to get along with when young, tend to be difficult to get along with as they age.

Myth vs. Fact -5 Myth - Older adults are lonely. Fact - Most older adults have a rich social life.

Myth vs. Fact -6 Myth - Older adults are always more religious and will never leave their abuser. Fact - Many older adults grew up in a time when formal religion was a common practice, however, this is not true for everyone.

Myth vs. Fact -7 Myth - Older adults and people with disabilities cannot learn new skills. Fact - Everyone can learn, but some may need accommodations or different supports to learn best.

Myth vs. Fact -8 Myth - Older adults and people with disabilities are not credible witnesses Fact - Many older adults and people with disabilities are credible witnesses. Some may need supports. Remember that the victim is the expert on what happened to them.

Myth vs. Fact -9 Myth - Having a disability makes a person vulnerable to violence. Fact - People with disabilities have many risk factors for violence. Many of them are not directly related to the person’s disability but to social and environmental factors.

Myth vs. Fact -10 Myth - There isn’t enough time to interview someone with a communication disability, or we don’t have the resources to pay for accommodations. Fact - It is required that reasonable accommodations be provided by the public entity per the Americans with Disabilities Act. All cases take time to do a thorough job. All victims deserve justice and respect.

Myth vs. Fact -11 Myth - Many people with disabilities do not understand the abuse perpetrated against them, so it is best to let it go. Fact - Trauma leaves an impact on victims and even more so if the person does not have the chance to share what happened to them and to access justice.

Myth vs. Fact -12 Myth- There isn’t enough time to train our people on all of this. Fact- The human cost to the victim is much greater than the time it takes to train people. It has been found that criminal justice access to people with disabilities and older adults benefits everyone.

Myths vs. Facts -13 Myth - Domestic and sexual violence against people with disabilities is rare; there are very few complaints. Fact - People with disabilities experience violence at greater rates than people without disabilities. As the criminal justice system gets more responsive, more people will report.

Myths vs. Facts -14 Myth - Not many people will benefit from this work. Resources should go elsewhere. Fact - 20% of people will have a disability at some point in our lifetime and these numbers are increasing. Starting January 2012, over 10,000 baby boomers a day will turn 65 Creating safer communities benefits everyone.

Myths vs. Facts-15 Myth - Older adults and people with disabilities often lie to police or change the facts of an original complaint. Facts - There are many legitimate reasons why they may change their account; including fear of going to a nursing home; fear of losing children or services or home.

Attitudes about older adults and people with disabilities  Personal history  Personal attitudes about crime victims  Personal attitudes about older adults and people with disabilities  Attitude---Behavior---Results

Attitudes  Know that cases involving older adults and people with disabilities are winnable.  Attitudes are the biggest barrier to accessing the criminal justice system. This includes the attitudes of family members, victim services, etc. This is a no-cost barrier to eliminate.  It is vital to keep the person informed of what is happening. Use plain language and victim’s preferred communication.