Help is available; just make that call
By Janet Lamb
August 20, 2009
It takes a community to protect Tennessee's elders and vulnerable adults from being victims of abusive, exploitive and neglectful situations, and thanks to the state's responsive and preventive programs, help is available.
While Adult Protective Services responds to and investigates reports of abuse, the Tennessee Commission on Aging and Disability and the Area Agencies on Aging and Disability administer and support prevention programs and services to keep seniors safe at home.
Senior centers provide a community support system for seniors for nutrition, community resources and assurance services. They empower seniors by educating them on the signs of abuse, providing a safe haven for activities and offering telephone reassurance for the home-bound. They allow vulnerable Tennesseans to remain in the public eye so that any signs of abuse can be spotted by staff or members.
The National Family Caregiver Support Program provides services for caregivers including information and assistance; training, support groups, individual counseling and respite care. These services give caregivers the help they need to prevent caregiver burnout and abuse to the patient. For information on this and other prevention programs call 1-866-836-6678 or go to www.tennessee.gov/comaging.
There is no single agency or organization that can provide all the needed services and protection that disabled and elderly adults require and deserve. It takes involvement and interaction from everyone to meet the needs of vulnerable adults: Listen ... Believe ... Act!
SOURCE: The Tennessean
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