Adult dependent care advocates in Central Iowa are sharing available resources following what West Des Moines police are calling dependent adult abuse.
Jacob Schaper, 24, and Jocelyn Grisham, 23, both of West Des Moines, are charged with second-degree murder in the death of 58-year-old Steven Schaper. The two were arrested on Tuesday morning.
West Des Moines police say Steven Schaper had a medical emergency on Aug. 10. When first responders arrived at 228 First St., they found Schaper laying in what they call “deplorable conditions.” Police say he had also suffered severe bedsores.
Steven Schaper was transported by EMS to a local hospital, where he later died.
Police say evidence suggests that Steven Schaper’s son and his girlfriend intentionally or recklessly denied him adequate medical care and proper living conditions, which resulted in his death.
The Iowa Department of Health and Human Resources receives thousands of reports a year about dependent adult abuse.
KCCI spoke with an elder abuse prevention specialist who says cases like the West Des Moines one could occur more often unless people know help is available.
“With facilities closing as they are, what are the other options,” said Crystal Doig, the elder abuse and prevention specialist at Aging Resources of Central Iowa. “Families may feel like they don’t have a choice but to bring that person home to live with them and not really fully understand what that entails.”
Believe it or not, Doig says it’s common for people who don’t understand what it takes to be a caregiver immediately.
“I don’t think people enter into being a caregiver thinking: ‘Oh it’s going to be overwhelming. I can love this person. I take care of them,'” Doig said. “But it can be overwhelming.”
Doig says that can unintentionally lead to dependent adult abuse or neglect.
“It is physical abuse. It’s emotional, mental, and financial abuse,” Doig said.
Before it gets to that, Doig says it’s best if caregivers give the Aging Resources of Central Iowa a call.
“Let us try to work with you to meet your best needs and service you by providing education and caregiver support groups that we can refer you to,” Doig said. “Maybe we need to put some respite in the home to give you guys a break from the caregiving duties.”
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