How to Report Elder Abuse

There is a growing epidemic in our country. It is not drinking or teenagers getting involved in club drugs. It has nothing to do with a disease. However, officially some call it a disease. I prefer to think of it as an avoidable and preventable community malice. I am referring to the increasing number of our adults, and elders who are being abused. Many people have no idea how to report the abuse or where to turn for help. As a previous social worker, I hope I can shed some much needed information on the subject.

Most people refer to this as elder abuse, however there are many adults, physically, mentally and emotionally handicapped that are also being abused, who don't qualify as elderly. But what exactly defines abuse? we of course think of the image of the battered wife with a beaten in and swollen face. Many of our elderly and handicapped adults are abused this way, but more often than not, the abuse is either psychological or amounts to gross neglect., This still is defined as abuse. But most people think they should call the police to report abuse> Sometimes the police will become involved, especially on an emergency basis, but other times they will tell you to call elsewhere. So where do you go for help and what are the steps involved? That information follows here.

1) You can call the police, however, the adult will be automatically taken out of the home and placed in state custody. perhaps the abuse is severe enough to warrant this, but then again it might be. The treatment might be closer to neglect. If you think the adult in question is in immediate danger or is already injured due to treatment, calling the police might be the best bet. But if there is no psychical injury and neglect is suspected, there is a better way to handle reporting of abuse of an adult.

2) Usually the best bet is to call the local agency that is responsible for abuse reports. The difficult thing is, the agency differs in each community. Usually it is what we people would associated with the local welfare agency. IN Florida, it is the Florida Department of Children and Family Services. In my old home state of North Carolina. it is the Department of Family Affairs. The police should be able to suggest whom to call.

3) If you are unable to locate the number, many communities have a 1-800 help line that will link you to community services. Sometimes that number can also be located in the front of the local phone book. Some communities list an actual abuse hotline. Again, it will vary by community.

4) Always take the elder person the emergency room if you feel their injuries are severe enough. Be sure and explain that you have a notion that someone is abusing them, and you wish to report it. The emergency room staff can assist you in filling a report. In addition, they might want to photograph bruises or injuries for a later court case against the abuser.

Hopefully you will not need this information. I wish I was that optimistic, but with our elderly population increasing by the year as us baby boomers grow older, i fear adult abuse will be on the rise. If you should need to become involved, you now know how to call and what to do in help the adult being abused.