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 ELDER ABUSE, NEGLECT, AND EXPLOITATION
TYPES OF ELDER ABUSE AND THE WARNING SIGNS:
PHYSICAL ABUSE
- Unexplained bruises, welts, sores, cuts, or abrasions in odd places.
- Injury that has not been cared for properly
- Pain from touching
- Dehydration or malnutrition without illness related cause
- Inappropriate administration of medication
- Forced isolation
- Soiled clothing or bedding
- Hesitation to talk openly
- Contradictory statements, implausible statements
- Fear
FINANCIAL ABUSE
- Goes to the bank with a person who encourages them to withdraw large sums of cash or coerces them into making transactions
- Unusual banking activity such as large withdrawals during a short time period, switching from one bank to another, ATM activity by a homebound older adult
- Concerned or confused about “missing” funds from their account
- Isolated from others
- Unable to remember financial transactions of signing paperwork
- Frequent expensive gifts to caregivers from elder
- Older adult’s personal belongings, papers, and credit cards missing
- Numerous unpaid bills
- A recently written will when the person seems incapable of writing a will
- Caregiver’s name added to the bank account
- Older adult signs on loan
- Older adult unaware of reason for appointment with banker or attorney
- Signatures on checks or legal documents that do not resemble older adult’s
SIGNS OF NEGLECT AND SELF-NEGLECT
- Unsafe or unclean living conditions
- Victim appears detached, or helpless
- Poor hygiene
- Unable to manage medical care, personal care or financial affairs
EVERYONE WHO SEES ELDER ABUSE OR NEGLECT SHOULD REPORT IT. ELDER ABUSE IS A CRIME AND IT MUST BE REPORTED AND STOPPED.
WHERE DO I REPORT ELDER ABUSE, NEGLECT OR EXPLORTATION?
- TO REPORT AN EMERGENCY DIAL 911
- DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC SECURITY: ADULT PROTECTIVE SERVICES (APS)
- ADULT ABUSE 24 HOUR HOTLINE: 1-877-S0S-ADULT (1-877-766-2385)
- AREA AGENCY ON AGING; 24 HOUR HELPLINE: 1-888-264-2258
- OFFICE OF ATTORNEY GENERAL: CONSUMER INFO & COMPLAINTS 1-800-353-8431
THESE ARE JUST SOME OF THE WARING SIGNS OF ELDER ABUSE;
IF YOU OR SOMEONE YOU KNOW IS BEING A VICTIM OF ELDER ABUSE OR IF SEE OTHER UNUSUAL THINGS HAPPENING TO AN OLDER ADULT, PLEASE CONTACT ONE OF THE RESOURCES ABOVE FOR INFORMATION, CALLERS MAY REMAIN ANONYMOUS.
Blessings, Karen L. Stanko, Parish Nurse |
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