Compiled by Christopher J. Gearon AARP bulletin online
July-August 2007
Elder abuse is a serious and common reality for too many older adults, and reports of such crimes are on the rise. Nearly 566,000 reports of elder abuse were made nationally in 2003, almost 20 percent more than in 2000. Elder abuse can take many forms of mistreatment—including physical, sexual, psychological and financial abuse, as well as neglect.
If you are a victim of elder abuse or know of someone who has been or is being victimized, it's important to report such crimes. Help is available. And laws protect those reporting suspected cases of abuse.
In an emergency, call 911 or the local police. Meanwhile, each state has a lead agency responsible for investigating reports of elder abuse and various subagencies that take on different types of cases.
Adult protective services (APS) is the lead agency in most states. Many APS agencies have toll-free numbers that are available so individuals both in state and out of state can report suspected abuse. APS typically contacts other relevant agencies, such as law enforcement.
State long-term care ombudsman investigate reports of abuse in nursing homes and other residential care facilities and in most states, state attorneys general (AG) investigate and prosecute patient abuse or neglect. Most AG offices do this through their Medicaid Fraud Control Units, investigating reports of fraud and patient abuse that occur in Medicaid-funded health care facilities.
AARP Bulletin Online provides a convenient interactive resource that can help individuals find appropriate elder abuse resources in each state. Other resources include the national Eldercare Locator (800-677-1116), a publicly funded resource that matches seniors with appropriate community resources; the National Committee for the Prevention of Elder Abuse; and the National Center on Elder Abuse.
To quickly find the best elder abuse resources in your state, select the pertinent state:
Abridged Article. For full details: AARP BULLETIN ONLINE
Excellent idea for compiling such a list. Well Done! I've approach the Federal Government in Australia to make available such a list to me so that I can publicize it on this blog. NO reply as yet.
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