7 50 DETROIT THE EWISH NEWS 5 KISLEV 5754/NOVEMBER 19, 1993 Abuse Of Elderly Often Hidden RUTH LITTMANN STAFF WRITER hen Dr. Sarah Gelberd suspects that one of her el- derly patients is a victim of abuse, she does the obvious. She asks. "Oddly, if you in- quire, you can come up with a lot of information," she said. "The elderly are relieved about hav- ing it acknowledged. When I've asked people whether they've been shoved or hit, they'll respond, 'How did you know?' " Dr. Gelberd, director of Sinai Hospital's Senior Assessment Clinic, was one of several speakers at a Sinai-sponsored conference titled, "From the Nursery To the Nursing Home: Domestic Violence." Held Nov. 10 at the Grand Manor at Fairlane in Dearborn, the confer- ence aimed to educate medical professionals about handling patients whom they suspect are being abused. Joanna Copes, a clinical nurse spe- cialist at Sinai, said some doctors ig- nore indications of abuse. But new laws make that illegal. Physicians MI Detroit doctors talk about what brings people together, and how to stay that way. omance is big business and marriage is back in style. Singles advertisements fill newspapers and seminar speakers are commanding big dollars. However, once people get to- gether, they still face the prob- lems of staying together. Local psychologists are studying what keeps couples satisfied and giving practical suggestions for the rocky road. must report all cases of abuse or sus- pected abuse to the Department of Social Services. "Some doctors believe that if the patient's (malady) can't be fixed with medicine, they don't want to deal with it. They don't know how," she said. The abuse may fall into different categories, including physical, men- tal or financial abuse. "Generally, the caregivers just can't cope," Dr. Gelberd said. "Certainly there are some that are malicious, but many feel guilty when they just can't do it all. Caregivers need to know their limits. They need to seek help." During last week's conference, Dr. Gelberd outlined some warning signs for doctors. The signs include severe malnutrition and si- multaneous evidence of fresh and healing wounds. "Difficulty in ambu- lation can be a sugges- tion of sexual abuse. Sometimes abused Dr. Sarah Gelberd Defending Oneself In A Jewish Way LESLEY PEARL STAFF WRITER T uesday evening at the Jewish Community Center in Oak Park, John Zilli held Matt Weiner in a headlock. No one stopped him. Mr. Zilli was teaching Matt, and other junior high and high school stu- dents and their parents, self-defense. A Jewish Experiences For Families (JEFF) program, co-sponsored by Congregation Beth Shalom, the Jewish Community Center and patients will flinch if you touch them," Dr. Gelberd said. It is important for doctors to talk to caregivers and patients separate- ly. Doctors should sensitize them- selves to the caregiver's stress level. Sometimes burned out caregivers, weary of delivering around-the- clock care, take their frustrations out on the elderly person. "Ask patients if there's substance abuse in the family. And how are they treated when they're alone," she said. Some elderly do not want to admit that they have been abused — especially if their caregivers are rel- atives. Dr. Gelberd once had a 96-year-old female patient who was being abused by. her 70-year-old son. 'When I discussed it with her, she said, `Oh, but he's such a good boy.' " Dr. Gelberd. said. "Elder abuse was really ignored for such a long time." ❑ Temple Emanu-El, Chazach Ve'ematz — Be Strong, Be Courageous — gave parents and teens the opportunity to learn about self-esteem, Jewish iden- tity, assertiveness, mitzvot and self- defense. Beth Shalom congregants Paul and Sharon Levine developed the idea and brought it to the com- munity with the help ofJCCenter as- sociate Doris Blechman and JEFF. "We wanted to do something for teens and their parents," Ms. Levine said. "Often we think teens don't want DEFENDING page 10 nside A special section for the holidays. center A sampling of views from high school students. Page 92 Story on page 48 Raya Goldenberg practices with her daughter, Tamar Gontovnik. Contents on page 3