PA Department of Aging Urges Reporting of Suspected Elder Abuse, Neglect

June 15 is Elder Abuse Awareness Day

HARRISBURG, June 13 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Pennsylvania Department of Aging today urged citizens to monitor the care and safety of older adults and to immediately report any suspected abuse by calling 1-800-490-8505.

June 15 is World Elder Abuse Awareness Day. The observance was created by the World Health Organization and the International Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse to help prevent the abuse and neglect of older people.

"Abuse of the elderly is a horrific crime, and protecting vulnerable older adults from abuse is a priority for the Department of Aging," said Secretary Nora Dowd Eisenhower. "Because we are also deeply concerned about the problem of self neglect, we encourage residents to keep an eye out for older neighbors who may have trouble caring for themselves as they age."

Suspected elder abuse or neglect may be reported to any of the 52 Area Agencies on Aging inPennsylvania. To find a local AAA and more information on elder abuse, visit http://www.aging.state.pa.us/.

Elder abuse comes in many forms, including:

    --  Neglect such as failure to provide food, water and personal hygiene;
        self neglect.
    --  Physical abuse such as hitting and beating.
    --  Emotional abuse such as isolating a person from friends and family.
    --  Sexual abuse such as improper touching and rape.
    --  Financial and material abuse such as stealing money and coercing an
        individual to sign checks or documents.
    --  Signs of elder abuse include bruises or broken bones, weight loss, or
        withdrawing large sums of money from an account without an apparent
        reason.

Indications of self neglect can be a red flag that an elderly person needs help. Signs of self neglect can be a disheveled appearance, newspapers and trash piling up, grass uncut or not seeing the person for a long period of time. Reports can be made anonymously and individuals have legal protection from retaliation for making a report.

Calls to the statewide elder abuse hotline at 1-800-490-8505 will be investigated promptly.

SOURCE Pennsylvania Department of Aging

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