Family CARES

1.830.257.2400 or Toll Free - 1.888.621.0047

Call these numbers 24 hours a day to schedule or arrange free confidential counseling support.

Kid CARES

Senior CARES

Kids’ Advocacy Place

Caring for today’s victims - preventing tomorrow’s abuse

SENIOR CARES

For elder abuse, neglect and self-neglect prevention and education, dementia education and referral for professionals and families; teaching disease management and prevention for chronic illnesses in the elderly, and offering support groups and education for caregivers.

It Shouldn’t Hurt to Be Old

What is elder abuse?

Elder abuse is any action or inaction that threatens the health or well-being of an older adult.

It includes:

Physical abuse - use of force to threaten or physically injure a vulnerable elder.
Sexual abuse - sexual contact that is forced, tricked, threatened, or otherwise coerced upon another person, including anyone who is unable to grant consent.
Emotional abuse - verbal attacks, threats, rejection, isolation, or belittling acts that cause or could cause mental anguish, pain, or distress to an elder.
Financial abuse or exploitation - fraud, theft, misuse or neglect of authority, or the use of "undue influence" as a lever to gain control over an older person's money or property.
Violations of rights - withholding information, interfering with mail, or confining a senior to an institution or hospital
Neglect - a caregiver's failure or refusal to provide for a vulnerable elder's safety, physical, or emotional needs.
Abandonment - desertion of a frail or vulnerable elder by anyone with a duty of care.
Self-neglect - an inability to understand the consequences of one's own actions or inaction, which leads to, or may lead to, harm or endangerment.

Who might abuse a senior?

Hard as it may be to believe, a great majority of abusers are family members, most often an adult child or spouse.

Abuse can also occur at long-term care facilities, nursing homes or assisted living residences where employees and temporary staff who have direct contact are the most frequent perpetrators.

Other offenders may include other family and oId friends, newly developed "friends" who intentionally prey on older adults, and service or care providers in positions of trust.

There is no "one profile" of a perpetrator, the person who commits the abuse. However, many often share some of the following factors or characteristics:

Alcohol or drugs
Economic pressures
History of domestic violence
Mental health issues, dependency, family dysfunction
Inadequate support of caregivers
Longstanding personality traits (bad temper, hypercritical, tendency to blame others for problems)

Is everyone at risk?

Elder abuse can happen to anyone. As with other types of interpersonal violence, elder victims are never responsible for their abuse, perpetrators are responsible.

What are some warning signs of the many forms of elder abuse?

slap marks, pressure marks and burns or blisters (e.g., cigarette burns) along with explanations that don't seem to fit with the pattern of physical injury
withdrawal from normal activities, unexplained change in alertness, or other unusual behavior may signal emotional abuse or neglect
bruises around the breasts or genital area and unexplained sexually transmitted diseases can occur from sexual abuse
Sudden change in finances and accounts, altered wills, unusual bank withdrawals, checks written as "loans" or "gifts", and loss of property may suggest exploitation
untreated bedsores, need for medical or dental care, unclean clothing, poor hygiene, overgrown hair and nails, and unusual weight loss are signs of possible neglect

Elder abuse can be prevented.

How can you prevent elder abuse? If you are a senior ....

stay active within your community
keep in regular contact with friends and family
know your rights
be proud of your age
follow guidelines for hiring professional caregivers or selecting a facility
If you know a senior ....
give him or her the opportunity to talk about abuse
discourage age discrimination or ageism; treat seniors with respect
encourage her or him to seek support and assistance when required
educate yourself about elder abuse
take care of yourself - only a healthy you can help them

If you have concerns about someone, trust your instincts.

What should I do if I suspect elder abuse?

You should call police (9-1-1) or Adult Protective Services (1-800-252-5400) right away if you suspect that a senior is being abused, neglected, or exploited. You do not need to prove abuse in order to make a report.

For More Information on Senior CARES

Contact - Patrice Doerries at: 830.257.7088 ext. 28

HC CARES

Professional Conference Information