Officials work to increase awareness of elder abuse
By ANGELA WARD
May 08, 2009
State and local officials are trying to get the message out that elder abuse is everybody's business.
May is Elder Abuse Prevention Month in Texas. The Gregg County Commissioners Court also has recognized the event.
"I don't know that we have a huge problem with this issue in our area, but it's definitely something we want to raise awareness of," County Judge Bill Stoudt said.
In 2008, state authorities investigated almost 70,000 cases of suspected abuse, neglect or exploitation of disabled adults or people older than 65. Investigators confirmed more than 48,000 cases, according to the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services.
Gregg County officials in 2008 investigated 567 cases of suspected abuse of elderly or disabled people of which 382 were confirmed, said agency spokeswoman Shari Pulliam.
While some cases of abuse occur in nursing homes or assisted living facilities, the majority involve elderly people living in their own homes, who are often abused or exploited by family members, she said.
"Almost everybody is concerned about child abuse, but we want people to realize that elderly adults are equally vulnerable to being harmed by their caregivers," Pulliam said.
Pulliam said reports of elder abuse have gone up since the campaign began four years ago.
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