In his comics, his heroes fought and triumphed over the villains. But in real life, Stan Lee spent his last years squaring off against a cruel, insidious enemy himself...
Elder abuse.
Toward and after his death in 2018, it came to light that several former managers had reportedly manipulated Lee into signing away his wealth in questionable business deals and isolated him from his family and friends.
In fact, one of the multiple lawsuits was just settled in May by his daughter. As it turns out, an ex-manager and caretaker of Lee had pilfered more than $21 million from Lee.
Like Lee, more than 7 million Americans have had their lives destroyed simply because they are vulnerable. It's a cruel fate that befalls an estimated one in every 10 folks aged 60 and up each year.
Elder abuse is a reality many of us might face.
Let's face it, none of us is getting any younger. And as we age, we become more vulnerable... the perfect target for predators. I'm sure you can think of plenty of horror stories from people you know being taken advantage of. Especially with the Internet, it's easy to become a target.
If you're as concerned as we are about finding a loving and safe place for the elders in your life, I urge you to be aware of these sorts of things...
Elder abuse is defined by the World Health Organization as "a single or repeated act, or lack of appropriate action, occurring within any relationship where there is an expectation of trust, which causes harm or distress to an older person."
Elder abuse is considered a human rights violation and can come in many forms: physical, sexual, psychological, financial, and emotional.
It's a very real problem, and many of our most cherished family members (including ourselves) end up suffering in silence. In fact, one in six people over the age of 60 has experienced some form of abuse in a community setting over the past year.
And this is only a small picture of the problem because just one in 24 cases of elder abuse is actually reported... This can be due to shame or fear of retaliation or abandonment. Some people even blame themselves for the abuse they're receiving.
I'm going to give you some tools to help you identify a problem – if one exists – and what to do about it.
Signs and Symptoms of Elder Abuse
Depending on the type of abuse that is occurring, the signals can vary. Some indicators include these:
- Bruises, cuts, dislocations, or broken bones
- Malnourishment, dehydration, or weight loss
- Unsuitable clothing for the weather
- Unsanitary living conditions, like poor hygiene or dirty clothing
- Untreated physical problems, like bed sores
- Anxiety, depression, or confusion
- Unexplained transactions or loss of money or valuables
- Withdrawal from family and friends
- A report of drug overdose or refusal to take medications
- Broken eyeglasses or frames
- Behavior that mimics dementia, such as rocking, sucking the thumb, or mumbling to themselves
- Controlling, belittling, or threatening caregiver behavior
How to Take Action Against Elder Abuse
It's your best chance to protect your loved ones or yourself.
Even if you're not 100% certain there's a problem, don't waste time doubting your observations and gut feelings.
You must get the victimized out of their toxic environment and somewhere safe.
Create another environment where you or your loved ones can be properly cared for and have a chance to thrive. This may be in the home of a family member or in a better facility.
After cutting ties immediately with the abuser, the issue must be reported. It's not wise to confront the abuser yourself because they may decide to take it out on your loved one. Also, this situation calls for strength in numbers. Getting other family members involved can be helpful in quelling shame for you or your loved one and convincing the victim to leave the abusive situation.
When reporting abuse, the more information you provide, the better. Use before and after photos to document any physical abuse or change in weight. Provide evidence of any banking discrepancies or missing household items. Look through the facility's records and see if anything looks amiss. Get the police involved if you have to.
When you report abuse, you end up helping others in the process. It's highly likely that you or your loved one is not the abuser's only victim.
You can report suspected abuse to the local Adult Protective Services ("APS") office. Each county should have a local chapter that can be found on the Department of Social Services website. You can also file a report with the Office of Health Care Quality. If reporting to both, let both offices know that you have filed two reports.
A report should also be made to the state's Medicaid office if you or your loved one uses Medicaid insurance.
What Can I Do?
If you have any concerns, report them to a supervisor. Also, if this is happening to your loved ones, visit them often. Ask them how things are going during some one-on-one time. Bring meals and meet the staff.
My stepmother did this for my dad as he was aging in assisted living. Twice a week, she brought him meals. She used to be a nurse, so she had a good idea of what to look for. She very quickly and easily picked up on who was being treated well and who was not receiving good care.
Protect yourself and your parents, as they protected you when you were small and vulnerable.
If you've ever been through this, let us know how you handled the situation. Send us an e-mail to feedback@healthandwealthbulletin.com.
What We're Reading...
- Get help in your area, courtesy of the National Adult Protective Services Association.
- Something different: Marines hid in cardboard boxes and pretended to be trees to outwit an AI security camera.
Here's to our health, wealth, and a great retirement,
Dr. David Eifrig and the Health & Wealth Bulletin Research Team
August 26, 2025