Every year approximately one in 10 older Americans is a victim of elder abuse.
June 15th is World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, the product of collaboration between Adult Protective Services in the Children and Family Services Division and the State Unit on Aging in the Medicaid and Long-Term Care Division.
Sherri Haber, Children and Family Services Administrator over Adult Protective Services, says there are several signs that might indicate an elderly person is being abused, neglected or exploited financially.
She says these include sudden changes in their finances or behavior, unsanitary living conditions or extreme withdrawal, depression or anxiety.
"I think victims are afraid to speak out in many cases because the abusers are sometimes family members or caregivers who they depend on to take care of them. So because of that isolation or fear of being alone or being separated from family, they’re afraid to voice their concerns.”
If you suspect that an elderly person you know is being abused, call the Adult and Child Abuse and Neglect Hotline at 1-800-652-1999.
Haber says the number of reports to the hotline is increasing every year.
She says that’s good so that APS can get families and individuals connected with local community resources and protect them from abuse and neglect.