Do you suspect or know of an Elder that is being Neglected, Abused or Exploited?

RED FLAGS OF ABUSE

NEGLECT
- Lack of basic hygiene, adequate food, or clean and appropriate clothing
- Lack of medical aids (glasses, walker, teeth, hearing aid, medications)
- Person with dementia left unsupervised
- Person confined to bed is left without care
- Home cluttered, filthy, in disrepair, or having fire and safety hazards
- Home without adequate facilities (stove, refrigerator, heat, cooling, working plumbing and electricity)
- Untreated pressure “bed” sores
FINANCIAL ABUSE/EXPLOITATION
- Lack of amenities victim could afford
- Vulnerable elder/adult “voluntarily” giving uncharacteristically excessive financial reimbursement/gifts for needed care and companionship
- Caregiver has control of elder’s money but is failing to provide for elder’s needs
- Vulnerable elder/adult has signed property transfers (Power of Attorney, new will, etc.) but is unable to comprehend the transaction of what it means
PSYCHOLOGICAL/EMOTIONAL ABUSE
- Unexplained or uncharacteristic changes in behavior, such as withdrawal from normal activities, unexplained changes in alertness, other
- Caregiver isolates elder (doesn’t let anyone into the home or speak to the elder)
- Caregiver is verbally aggressive or demeaning, controlling, overly concerned about spending money, or uncaring
PHYSICAL/SEXUAL ABUSE
- Inadequately explained fractures, bruises, welts, cute, sores, or burns
- Unexplained sexually transmitted diseases

12 Things that Anyone Can Do to PREVENT Elder Abuse

Learn the signs of elder abuse and neglect
Call or visit an elderly loved one and ask how he or she is doing
Provide a respite break for a caregiver
Ask your bank manager to train tellers on how to detect elder financial abuse
Ask your doctor to ask you and all other senior patients about possible family violence in their lives
Contact your local Adult Protective Services or Long-Term Care Ombudsman to learn how to support their work helping at-risk elders and adults with disabilities
Organize a “Respect Your Elders” essay or poster contest in your child’s school
Ask your religious congregation’s leader to give a talk about elder abuse at a service or to put a message about elder abuse in the bulletin
Volunteer to be a friendly visitor to a nursing home resident or to a homebound senior in your neighborhood
Send a letter to your local paper, radio or TV station suggesting that the cover World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (June 15) or Grandparent’s Day (September)
Dedicate your bikeathon/marathon/other event to elder mistreatment awareness and prevention
Join the Ageless Alliance. Ageless Alliance connects people of all ages, nationwide, who stand united for dignity of older adults and for the elimination of elder abuse. You can join (it’s free) and get involved at agelessalliance.org