This Sunday, June 15, is National Elder Abuse Awareness Day and Howard County Department of Citizen Services and Howard County Police Department have teamed up to educate the public about the warning signs and what to do if you suspect a person you know is a victim of elder abuse. Elder abuse refers to the intentional or neglectful acts of a caregiver or ‘trusted’ individual that may lead to physical, mental or financial abuse or exploitation. It can occur at home, in a nursing home or another institution that provides services or care – it can even happen over the phone. Signs of abuse or neglect include: lack of basic hygiene, adequate food or clean and appropriate clothing; lack of critical medical aides like glasses, medications, walker, dentures and hearing aids; person confined to bed or with dementia left without care; a home that is unsanitary, unhealthy, in disrepair and without adequate facilities like heating or cooling, functional plumbing and electricity; changes in behavior; and unexplained fractures, bruises, cuts, sores or burns. If you feel an older person is in a life threatening situation or immediate danger, call 9-1-1. Learn more about elder abuse and how to prevent it at the National Center on Elder Abuses website at ncea.aoa.gov or the Department of Citizen Services Office on Aging’s website at howardcountyaging.org/eldersafety.
Posted on: Fri, 13 Jun 2014 19:18:18 +0000
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