{"id":1061,"date":"2012-03-02T14:09:00","date_gmt":"2012-03-02T20:09:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/touchingheartsathome.wordpress.com\/?p=62"},"modified":"2012-03-02T14:09:00","modified_gmt":"2012-03-02T20:09:00","slug":"protect-your-loved-ones-preventing-elder-abuse-financial-exploitation","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/touchinghearts.com\/westtn\/blog\/protect-your-loved-ones-preventing-elder-abuse-financial-exploitation\/","title":{"rendered":"Protect Your Loved Ones \u2013 Preventing Elder Abuse & Financial Exploitation"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n
Every year, more than half a million reports of abuse against elderly Americans reach authorities, but only one in five cases is reported.\u00a0 Elder adults become targets because they experience physical limitations as they age, lose sight and hearing, and do not think as clearly as they may have in the past.\u00a0 On top of this, mental or physical ailments can also make them difficult companions for the people who live with them.\u00a0 These changing conditions leave openings for dishonest people to take advantage of an elder adult.<\/p>\n

Sadly, abusers are often the people elders trust the most, including spouses, family members, personal acquaintances, professionals in positions of trust, or opportunistic strangers who prey on the vulnerable.\u00a0 So how do we help our aging loved ones prevent elder abuse and neglect?\u00a0 By understanding the types and signs of abuse and reporting suspected cases of abuse immediately.<\/p>\n

Types of Elder Abuse & Warning Signs<\/strong><\/strong><\/h3>\n

You may suspect that an elderly person you know is being harmed physically or emotionally by a neglectful or overwhelmed caregiver or being preyed upon financially. By learning the signs and symptoms of elder abuse and how to act on behalf of an elderly person who is being abused, you\u2019ll not only be helping someone else but strengthening your own defenses against elder abuse in the future.\u00a0 Here are the five (5) types of elder abuse and warning signs:<\/p>\n

Physical abuse<\/span> <\/em>\u2010 Use of force to threaten or physically injure a vulnerable elder.<\/p>\n

Warning Signs <\/em>\u2010<\/em> S<\/em>lap marks, unexplained bruises, most pressure marks, and certain types of burns or blisters, such as cigarette burns<\/p>\n

<\/em>Emotional abuse<\/span> <\/em>\u2010 Verbal attacks, threats, rejection, isolation, or belittling acts that cause or could cause mental anguish, pain, or distress to a senior.<\/p>\n

Warning Signs <\/em>\u2010<\/em> <\/em>Withdrawal from normal activities, unexplained changes in alertness, or other unusual behavioral changes<\/p>\n

<\/em>Sexual abuse<\/span> <\/em>\u2010 Sexual contact that is forced, tricked, threatened, or otherwise coerced upon a vulnerable elder, including anyone who is unable to grant consent.<\/p>\n

Warning Signs <\/em>\u2010<\/em> <\/em>Bruises around the breasts or genital area and unexplained sexually transmitted diseases.<\/p>\n

<\/em>Financial Abuse\/Exploitation<\/span> <\/em>\u2010 Theft, fraud, misuse or neglect of authority, and use of undue influence as a lever to gain control over an older person\u2019s money or property.<\/p>\n

Warning Signs <\/em>\u2010<\/em> <\/em>Sudden change in finances and accounts, altered wills and trusts, unusual bank withdrawals, checks written as \u201cloans\u201d or \u201cgifts,\u201d and loss of property<\/p>\n

<\/em>Neglect and Abandonment<\/span> <\/em>\u2010<\/em> <\/em>A caregiver\u2019s failure or refusal to provide for a vulnerable elder\u2019s safety, physical, or emotional needs or desertion of a frail or vulnerable elder by anyone with a duty of care.<\/p>\n

Warning Signs <\/em>\u2010<\/em> <\/em>Pressure ulcers, filth, lack of medical care, malnutrition or dehydration<\/p>\n

<\/em>What Should You Do if You Suspect Elder Abuse? \u00a0\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Report Your Concerns!<\/p>\n

Whether you witness abuse, recognized warning signs, or suspect a loved one may have been subject to abuse, you should report the situation to your state immediately.\u00a0 Remember, you do not need to prove that abuse is occurring, it is up to the professionals to investigate suspicions.\u00a0 Most cases of elder abuse go undetected so you do not want to assume that someone has already reported a suspicious situation.<\/p>\n

If you suspect elder abuse, neglect, or exploitation, telephone the Eldercare Locator at 1-800-677-1116.\u00a0 For your state reporting numbers and departments, click here: \u00a0http:\/\/www.ncea.aoa.gov\/ncearoot\/Main_Site\/Find_Help\/State_Resources.aspx#state<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n

As our senior population continues to grow one thing is for certain: elder abuse can happen to any older adult including your neighbor, your loved one, or even to you. <\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Additional information and resources can be found through the National Center on Elder Abuse: <\/strong>http:\/\/www.ncea.aoa.gov\/ncearoot\/Main_Site\/index.aspx<\/strong><\/div>\n<\/section>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Every year, more than half a million reports of abuse against elderly Americans reach authorities, but only one in five cases is reported.\u00a0 Elder adults become targets because they experience physical limitations as they age, lose sight and hearing, and do not think as clearly as they may have in the past.\u00a0 On top of […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1061","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nProtect Your Loved Ones \u2013 Preventing Elder Abuse & Financial Exploitation - Touching Hearts at Home of West Tennessee<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/touchinghearts.com\/westtn\/blog\/protect-your-loved-ones-preventing-elder-abuse-financial-exploitation\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Protect Your Loved Ones \u2013 Preventing Elder Abuse & Financial Exploitation - 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