Isolation Can Make Elderly Vulnerable to Abuse

Isolation can make elderly vulnerable to abuse
By CARL A. GIBSON
June 29, 2008

There's an elderly neighbor you've chatted with at civic meetings and block parties for years. When you see her coming to get her mail as you walk up the street, you slow down and greet her at the mailbox. She says hello but seems wary, as if she doesn't quite recognize you. You ask her about a nasty bruise on her forearm. Oh, just an accident, she explains, the car door closed on it. She says good-bye quickly and returns to the house. Something isn't quite right about her. You think about the bruise, her skittish behavior. Well, she's getting pretty old, you think; maybe her mind is getting fuzzy. But there's something else - something isn't right.

This scenario, while extracted from www.helpguide.org/elder, is oft repeated in this country and worldwide. Elder abuse is a problem that hits you hard when someone you know experiences it.

In Calhoun County, there is an Elder Abuse Coalition that meets regularly to shine the light of day on these problems and bring them to a halt. June 15 was declared Elder Abuse Awareness Day in this county. You are the "eyes and ears" for recognizing the isolation and abuse your family member, friend or neighbors may be experiencing. Don't be afraid to speak out; let authorities know. A first step is to call 211 for further direction or call Adult Protective Services at 269-966-1342.

If you would like to support this coalition of service agencies which meets to address elder exploitation issues, contact Carrie Taft, Area Agency on Aging, at 269-441-0920. It comes together to document issues, develop strategy for addressing the types of abuse, empowering agencies and community members to identify problems and then become part of the solution.

Abridged
SOURCE: BattleCreekEnquirer
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