June 15th is World Elder Abuse Awareness Day! The day
supports the United Nations International Plan of Action, which recognizes the
significance of elder abuse as a public health and human rights issue. It
occurs in every demographic and can happen to anyone – a family member, a
neighbor, even you. Yet it is estimated that only about one in five of
those crimes are ever discovered. These victims are people who are older,
frail, vulnerable and cannot help themselves and who depend on others to meet
their most basic needs. Abusers of older adults are both women and men,
and may be family members, friends, or “trusted others.”
In general, 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. Legislatures in all 50 states have passed some form of elder abuse
prevention laws. Laws and definitions of terms vary considerably from one state
to another, but broadly defined, abuse may be: physical abuse, sexual abuse,
neglect, financial exploitation, emotional abuse, abandonment, and
self-neglect.
If you suspect elderly
abuse in your community or would like more information about the signs and
warnings of elder abuse, please call or e-mail : Vonn Saltzman
(800)658-1466, salt_vo@ascog.org.
Your report may be made anonymously.
