STATESMAN JOURNAL
NOVEMBER 22, 2010
State officials are concerned that elder abuse may be a growing problem in Oregon as it is nationally. National studies estimate that 3 to 5 million seniors age 65 and older nationwide have experienced abuse, but only one in five abuse cases is reported.
With the holidays upon us and families visiting with one another, the Oregon Department of Human Services would like to remind people of the signs of elder abuse.
“No type of abuse should be tolerated, but elder abuse is an under-reported crime because people do not know how to recognize the signs, and they don’t know how to report it when they do see it,” said James D. Toews, the DHS assistant director for seniors and people with disabilities. “We have to raise awareness of elder abuse and ways to report it before we can hope to prevent it.”With the holidays upon us and families visiting with one another, the Oregon Department of Human Services would like to remind people of the signs of elder abuse.
Approximately 13 percent of Oregon’s population is now 65 years or older, with nearly 76,000 Oregonians having reached age 85.
DHS reviewed 20,000 calls regarding allegations of abuse of elderly or physically disabled Oregonians in 2009. Of those calls, 12,447 warranted DHS investigation in either the community or in facilities.
A new brochure from the DHS Seniors and People with Disabilities Division outlines adult abuse reporting. It can be found and downloaded at:
http://dhsforms.hr.state.or.us/Forms/Served/DE9373.pdf .
Abridged
SOURCE: The Statesman Journal
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