Sometimes, educating people about what elder abuse is is all that’s needed to take a big step against fighting it. That’s what an organization in Ohio is finding through a series of seminars that they’ve helped organize.
One of the easy things that you can do to help recognize yourself with the common outward signs of elder abuse is to know what they are. This might include physical injuries such as unexplained bruises, burns, or fractures, as well as emotional indicators like sudden changes in behavior, withdrawal from social activities, or increased anxiety and depression. Financial abuse can manifest as unexplained or unusual financial transactions, missing money or possessions, or forged signatures on documents. Neglect may be evident through poor personal hygiene, malnutrition, or inadequate living conditions. Elder abuse can also be marked by verbal abuse, threats, or intimidation, leading to noticeable changes in the individual’s mood. Recognizing these signs is crucial in ensuring the safety and wellbeing of older individuals and taking appropriate action to prevent abuse.
Sometimes, one or two of these things can be present and you might not have a concern. They might seem just like a normal part of the aging process. And sometimes they are. But if you are seeing a few of these outward signs, or something just feels off about what you’ve observed, there’s a chance that something else might be going on.
If that’s the case, it’s important that you report the situation immediately and take steps to stop it. Calling elder services or even 911 will ensure that your concerns are channeled through the proper authorities. Even if they do not believe that abuse is taking place, they will document your concerns. If this is the first time that a concern has been lodged, it can help to build a case if other people call in with similar concerns over a course of time and make sure that it is looked into.
And if this is not the first call, authorities will be able to see that, too. They might not be able to tell you what kind of other information that they have on their end, but if others have called in the past with similar concerns, it can help to build a case to ensure that an investigation takes place and that your loved one gets the care and attention that they need to stay safe and healthy.
There is no doubt that elder abuse is a terrible thing. No one deserves to be taken advantage of, hurt, or forced to live their life in fear. When someone is in a more vulnerable demographic–like senior citizens tend to be–they face extra challenges. Abuse shouldn’t be one of them.
There are steps that each one of us can take right here and right now to help prevent and put an end to elder abuse. Awareness is step one, but it’s a very powerful first step. Hopefully, this brief guide has been helpful. As always, if you have more questions about this topic, please feel free to reach out to us or another trusted resource.
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