Today, on World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD), we grapple with a stark reality. At United Nursing Services, where our ethos is bound by love, compassion, and joyful interaction with our elderly clients, it’s difficult to fathom that abuse against the elderly exists.
Alas, it does, with 4-6% of elderly individuals suffering some form of abuse, predominantly underreported. Elder abuse varies from neglect and financial manipulation to physical and sexual violence.
Our dedicated team at UNS is equipped and alert, trained to spot and report elder abuse, and swiftly involve authorities when needed.
Launched on June 15, 2006, by the International Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse and the World Health Organization, WEAAD serves as a global plea to protest against elder abuse. Today, I aim to inform you about the signs and types of elder abuse, steps if you suspect such abuse, and ways to report it.
Indicators
Abuse indicators include financial irregularities like unpaid bills, sudden changes in mood, personality, and appetite, unexplained injuries, and symptoms of neglect like weight loss and untreated medical conditions.
Categories
Abuse categories cover financial exploitation, neglect, emotional abuse, physical abuse, and sexual abuse. Each one severely impacts an elder’s quality of life.
Taking Action
If you suspect abuse, vigilantly look for signs and speak to the potential victim. Reassure them that you’re there to protect them and help them escape the abuse. In Palm Beach County, suspected abuse can be reported to the Florida Abuse Hotline (1-800-962-2873), the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office (561-688-3111), or the Palm Beach County Department of Children and Family (561-833-7200).
When reporting, give the elder’s name, the suspected abuser’s name, and the abuse location. You might also need to provide details about the type, frequency, and any injuries from the abuse. You can choose to report anonymously.
For more on elder abuse, consider resources like the Florida Department of Elder Affairs, National Center on Elder Abuse, or the Elder Justice Coalition. Let’s unite against elder abuse, one voice at a time.