Elder abuse is a type of abuse that few people even realize happens. Most commonly, we don’t learn about elder abuse unless someone we know is in harm’s way. June 15th is World Elder Abuse Awareness Day. Please help spread the word and take a moment to consider the ways you can help in the fight against elder abuse:
• Learn the signs of elder abuse:
1. Bruises or other unexplained injuries
2. Changes in alertness
3. Unexplained withdrawal from normal activities or depression
4. Sudden changes in financial situation
5. Strained or tense relationships with caregivers
6. Any unexplained changes in health or behavior
• Check on Elderly parents, grandparents and neighbors often. Ask them how they are doing, and ask about their relationships with their caregivers.
• If you know someone caring for an aging loved one, offer them a day of respite. Caregivers given breaks from their responsibilities are statistically less likely to become abusive or neglectful.
• Ask bank managers to train tellers on the signs of financial abuse
• Ask your doctor to ask you, and all patients, about possible family violence. Often, the privacy of an exam room is the only time abused patients have an opportunity to speak up about their situation.
• Contact your local Adult Protective Services or Long-Term Ombudsman and volunteer to work with at-risk elders
• Ask your child’s school to host an essay or poster contest. Contact your local media about the contest to help raise awareness.
• Speak to your religious congregation leaders, and ask them to discuss the warning signs of elder abuse at a service, or place posters in the church.
• Volunteer to be a companion to a nursing home patient or home-bound senior.
• Contact your local newspaper, radio station or TV station and suggest they cover World Elder Abuse Day today, and Grandparents Day in September
• Dedicate your marathon or other event to elder abuse awareness and prevention.
• Share the National Center on Elder Abuse’s website on your Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Pinterest and other social media sites.
Visit www.ncea.aoa.gov or www.centeronelderabuse.org to learn more, get involved, and spread the word about the growing problem of elder abuse.
Today is World Elder Abuse Awareness Day – Cleveland Elder Law Attorney
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About the Author: Paul Stano
Paul is a second-generation advocate for Ohio seniors. If his name sounds familiar, it’s because he is the son of Jerome P. Stano, an Ohio state senator, who was Chairman of the Nursing Home Commission as well as a co-sponsor of the Homestead Exemption Act. Over the past two decades, Paul has helped older Americans and their families design Estate and Life Care Plans that assure that loved ones are taken care of while saving as much of their hard-earned money as possible. Paul has taken a great deal of time and effort to pull together a team of people who share his passion for helping seniors. Each member of Paul’s team has a special talent or expertise that helps clients accomplish their goals. “I’ve grown up in this area, and my purpose is to help the hard working people of my community keep what they’ve worked so hard to earn.”
