Elder Abuse Resources
Authorities receive over a half million reports of elder abuse a year. Because of their diminishing capabilities, seniors often become victims of caregivers, financial scams or criminals. The increase in ailments and the accompanying complaining can make the elderly harder to deal with in their advancing years, which causes stress in caregivers that can lead to abuse. Abuse of seniors is a crime and should be stopped. If you know or suspect that a senior citizen is experiencing abuse, there are resources that you can contact for assistance.
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Types of Abuse
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Abuse of seniors is not always physical. The elderly are frequently the victims of financial scams or deception by unscrupulous salesmen. Those responsible for providing care to seniors have been known to forge checks or steal money outright. Seniors also suffer from neglect and abandonment from those responsible for their care. Sexual abuse is not uncommon for seniors. Sexual abuse includes misappropriate touching or making the senior feel uncomfortable with suggestive remarks.
Help for Abused Seniors
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If you are a senior experiencing some form of abuse, alert someone as soon as possible. Tell your doctor, priest or family member. Professionals such as doctors and clergy members have an obligation to report abuse to the proper authorities. If you are not in a position to leave your home, call the Elder Abuse Hotline number for your state. You can obtain the Hotline number in your state by calling the Eldercare Locator at 1-800-677-1116. If someone you love suffers from dementia or Alzheimer's register them with a locator service. Local police offices offer programs for seniors at risk and the Alzheimer's association also allows members to sign up with a service.
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Reporting Elder Abuse
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Remember that elder abuse is a crime and it is your duty to report suspected abuse. To find a reporting agency in your area, log onto the Elder Abuse Daily site and look for your state resources. The site provides the telephone numbers to report abuse. When reporting try to include as many details as possible to help the authorities. Some Hotlines allow you to remain anonymous depending on your situation. You can also contact the Department of Children and Families in your state to report suspected abuse.
Preventing Elder Abuse
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Caregivers and family members do not always set out to abuse their loved ones but sometimes the stress of care giving takes its toll. If you find yourself taking care of elderly parents or loved ones, it is important to get help and build a resource circle of friends and family who can step in when you become overwhelmed. Take advantage of classes and adult programs offered through local agencies that can give you a break during the day. Seniors can protect themselves by always reading contracts first before signing. If you don't understand something don't sign it. If there is a local Seniors versus Crime organization in your neighborhood, join it. There is safety in numbers. Sign up with AARP to learn more about senior resources.
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References
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