Elder Abuse Awareness Day is June 15

Elder Abuse Awareness Day is June 15 

The Senate Special Committee on Aging estimates that there may be as many as 5 million elder abuse victims each year in the United States. And while this number is quite staggering, only around 16 percent of these abusive situations are referred for help. 

Recently, the Ohio Senate passed a Senate Bill designating June 15 as Elder Abuse Awareness Day statewide. The Area Agency on Aging District 7, which covers 10 counties in Ohio, including Adams, Brown, Gallia, Highland, Jackson, Lawrence, Pike, Ross, Scioto and Vinton, encourages the community to be aware and educated about elder abuse. If you or someone you know is the victim of abuse, it is important to report it to the appropriate authorities. 

According to the National Center on Elder Abuse, elder abuse is a term referring to any knowing, intentional, or negligent act by a caregiver or any other person that causes harm or a serious risk of harm to a vulnerable adult. The specificity of laws varies from state to state, but broadly defined, abuse may be: 

• Physical Abuse - Inflicting, or threatening to inflict, physical pain or injury on a vulnerable elder, or depriving them of a basic need.

• Emotional Abuse - Inflicting mental pain, anguish, or distress on an elder person through verbal or nonverbal acts.

• Sexual Abuse - Non-consensual sexual contact of any kind.

• Exploitation - Illegal taking, misuse, or concealment of funds, property, or assets of a vulnerable elder.

• Neglect - Refusal or failure by those responsible to provide food, shelter, health care or protection for a vulnerable elder.

• Abandonment - The desertion of a vulnerable elder by anyone who has assumed the responsibility for care or custody of that person. 

The National Center on Elder Abuse also adds that those at risk could vary as, like other types of domestic violence, elder abuse is extremely complex. Generally, a combination of psychological, social, and economic factors, along with the mental and physical conditions of the victim and the perpetrator, contribute to the occurrence of elder maltreatment. Risk factors may include a history of domestic violence, personal problems of abusers, isolation, caregiver stress, and personal characteristics of the elder. 

What’s important is being aware of the risk factors and warning signs associated with elder abuse.  Warning signs could include physical marks or physical mistreatment; behavioral changes; and sudden changes in financial situations. If you or someone you know has been the victim of abuse, exploitation or neglect, it is important to report the suspected abuse immediately. Call your doctor or confide in a family member or friend you trust, or call the Highland County Department of Jobs and Family Services at (937) 393-4278 to report elder abuse occurring in the community. To report abuse in long-term care facilities, call the AAA7 Ombudsman Program at 1-800-582-7277.  If someone you know is in immediate, life-threatening danger, call your local police department or sheriff’s office, or 9-1-1 immediately. 

Your local Area Agency on Aging District 7, Inc. provides services on a non-discriminatory basis in ten Ohio counties. These services are available to help older adults and those with disabilities live safely and independently in their own homes through services paid for by Medicare, Medicaid, Veterans Administration, other federal and state resources, as well as private pay. 

Those interested in learning more can call toll-free at 1-800-582-7277 (TTY 1-888-270-1550).  Here, individuals can speak directly with a nurse or social worker who will assist them with information surrounding the programs and services that are available to best serve their needs. Information is also available on www.aaa7.org .

The Senate Special Committee on Aging estimates that there may be as many as 5 million elder abuse victims each year in the United States. And while this number is quite staggering, only around 16 percent of these abusive situations are referred for help. 

Recently, the Ohio Senate passed a Senate Bill designating June 15 as Elder Abuse Awareness Day statewide. The Area Agency on Aging District 7, which covers 10 counties in Ohio, including Adams, Brown, Gallia, Highland, Jackson, Lawrence, Pike, Ross, Scioto and Vinton, encourages the community to be aware and educated about elder abuse. If you or someone you know is the victim of abuse, it is important to report it to the appropriate authorities. 

According to the National Center on Elder Abuse, elder abuse is a term referring to any knowing, intentional, or negligent act by a caregiver or any other person that causes harm or a serious risk of harm to a vulnerable adult. The specificity of laws varies from state to state, but broadly defined, abuse may be: 

• Physical Abuse - Inflicting, or threatening to inflict, physical pain or injury on a vulnerable elder, or depriving them of a basic need.

• Emotional Abuse - Inflicting mental pain, anguish, or distress on an elder person through verbal or nonverbal acts.

• Sexual Abuse - Non-consensual sexual contact of any kind.

• Exploitation - Illegal taking, misuse, or concealment of funds, property, or assets of a vulnerable elder.

• Neglect - Refusal or failure by those responsible to provide food, shelter, health care or protection for a vulnerable elder.

• Abandonment - The desertion of a vulnerable elder by anyone who has assumed the responsibility for care or custody of that person. 

The National Center on Elder Abuse also adds that those at risk could vary as, like other types of domestic violence, elder abuse is extremely complex. Generally, a combination of psychological, social, and economic factors, along with the mental and physical conditions of the victim and the perpetrator, contribute to the occurrence of elder maltreatment. Risk factors may include a history of domestic violence, personal problems of abusers, isolation, caregiver stress, and personal characteristics of the elder. 

What’s important is being aware of the risk factors and warning signs associated with elder abuse.  Warning signs could include physical marks or physical mistreatment; behavioral changes; and sudden changes in financial situations. If you or someone you know has been the victim of abuse, exploitation or neglect, it is important to report the suspected abuse immediately. Call your doctor or confide in a family member or friend you trust, or call the Highland County Department of Jobs and Family Services at (937) 393-4278 to report elder abuse occurring in the community. To report abuse in long-term care facilities, call the AAA7 Ombudsman Program at 1-800-582-7277.  If someone you know is in immediate, life-threatening danger, call your local police department or sheriff’s office, or 9-1-1 immediately. 

Your local Area Agency on Aging District 7, Inc. provides services on a non-discriminatory basis in ten Ohio counties. These services are available to help older adults and those with disabilities live safely and independently in their own homes through services paid for by Medicare, Medicaid, Veterans Administration, other federal and state resources, as well as private pay. 

Those interested in learning more can call toll-free at 1-800-582-7277 (TTY 1-888-270-1550).  Here, individuals can speak directly with a nurse or social worker who will assist them with information surrounding the programs and services that are available to best serve their needs. Information is also available on www.aaa7.org .