Elder abuse surfaces in community, health care officials stress education as senior citizen population rises.
February 14, 2010
Staff Writer
ENC.COM
Meet Ethel, a woman in her 70s who recently went to Lenoir Memorial Hospital for problems with breathing.
While at the hospital Ethel, malnourished and smelling of urine, confided in Sherron Sinclair, clinical manger at Community Home Care and Hospice in Kinston. She told Sinclair her caretaker was stealing her medication and selling drugs out of her home.
Sinclair reported the case to the Lenoir County Department of Social Services and after Ethel — not her real name — was released, the agency followed up on the report and discovered Ethel had been neglected, left alone to sleep on a couch. The agency now provides her with Adult Protective Services.
Ethel is one of 32 elderly people in Lenoir County confirmed as abuse victms. Across the state, thousands of elders have been abused, neglected and exploited in the last six months. Local health care officials say more cases of adult abuse remain unreported.
Reporting elder abuse
Lenoir County DSS
130 W. King St.
252-559-6400
Lenoir County Council on Aging
112 E. Blount St.
252-527-1545
Community Home Care and Hospice
512 Plaza Blvd.
252-527-2201
Abridged
SOURCE: encToday.com
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