Adult Protective Services - Elder Abuse

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When most of us think about abuse, we tend to think of child abuse or spousal abuse. However, elder abuse is also a very serious problem. When I attended the local Senior Summit with @ElizabethWallace, Elder Abuse was one of the topics discussed by Elizabeth Henderson, a Deputy District Attorney. Part of this involves the scams that I mentioned in my last article. However, Elder Abuse extends much further than scams perpetrated by outsiders. Many of us may have witnessed some of this abuse. If so, we should always contact Adult Protective Services in our area. Types of Elder Abuse: Physical Abuse: This includes slapping and pushing. However, it also includes isolating the victim, restricting their movements, over-medicating them, molestation, and even withholding food or water. Financial Abuse: This includes outright theft, as well as fraud and extortion, such as intimidating or threatening an elderly person to get them to turn over assets. The victim could even be abducted and taken to another state against their will. Mental Abuse: Many elderly people experience verbal harassment, threats or other types of upsetting behavior. Neglect: Sometime the abuse is not a result of the actions of others, but their inaction. This happens when a caregiver does not take care of necessities such as providing adequate food and water, appropriate housing, medical treatment or personal care. In extreme cases, family members may simply abandon an elderly relative. Self-Neglect: This occurs when an elderly person stops taking care of themselves. This is a type of self-abuse and is surprisingly common in lonely, depressed senior citizens. Don't forget that you can make a difference in the lives of others by reporting any signs of abuse, even self-abuse, to Adult Protective Services in your area.