Strengthening Community Supports to Prevent Elder Abuse PRESENTER

Strengthening Community Supports to Prevent Elder Abuse [ PRESENTER INFORMATION]

Introduction: Presenter / Organization PRESENTER BIO; ORGANIZATION MISSION OR GOAL(S); COMMUNITY PARTNERS, ETC.

Elder Abuse: What are you seeing? § How often are you hearing people allege elder abuse? § What scenarios are you hearing about most frequently?

What is Elder Abuse? Elder abuse, the mistreatment or harming of an older person, is an injustice that we all need to prevent and address. Elder Abuse occurs in both community and institutional settings and takes many forms, including: § Physical abuse § Emotional/Psychological abuse § Sexual abuse § Neglect § Financial exploitation Elder Abuse is believed to be widely under-detected and under-reported.

What Causes Elder Abuse? Elder Abuse can occur when strong social supports are not in place to keep us connected as we age. While anyone is potentially at risk of abuse, some factors can increase one’s risk of experiencing abuse: § social isolation § lack of access to support services and community resources § physical, mental, or emotional needs in carrying out daily activities Elder Abuse can be prevented if we work together to create a stronger society that values and supports all of us as we age.

Types of Elder Abuse PHYSICAL PSYCHOLOGICAL FINANCIAL SEXUAL NEGLECT Multiple forms of abuse can occur at once.

Signs of Elder Abuse 1 It is up to all of us to know the signs of elder abuse so we can immediately report any suspicions of abuse occurring in the community or long-term care setting. Physical Signs § Broken bones, bruises, and welts § Untreated bed sores § Torn, stained, or bloody underclothing § Sexually transmitted diseases without clear explanations § Dirtiness, poor nutrition, or dehydration § Poor living conditions § Lack of medical aids [glasses, walker, teeth, hearing aid, or medications] § Over/under medicated

Signs of Elder Abuse 2 Emotional & Behavioral Signs § Unusual changes in behavior or sleep § Fear or anxiety § Isolation from friends or family § Withdrawal from normal activities § Sadness Financial Signs § Unusual changes in a bank account or money management services § Unusual or sudden changes in a will or other financial documents § Fraudulent signatures on financial documents § Unpaid bills

Reporting Abuse Report suspected abuse in the community to the local Adult Protective Services agency, and report suspected abuse in a nursing home or long-term care facility to the local Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program. For serious and immediate emergencies, call 9 -1 -1. Report suspicions of abuse as soon as possible. Adult Protective Services 1 -XXX-XXXX Local Law Enforcement 1 -XXX-XXXX Long-Term Care Ombudsman 1 -XXX-XXXX To connect to a local or state reporting number, contact the Eldercare Locator at eldercare. acl. gov or at 1 -800 -677 -1116 M-F 9 AM – 8 PM ET.

Preventing Elder Abuse in Our Community Elder abuse is preventable – and everyone has a role to play. It is up to all of us to build strong supports for one another and prevent abuse before it happens. [ insert information about programs and services offered by your agency or other community specific resources –Senior Medicare Patrol Program; Meal Services; Case Management; Legal Assistance; Transportation; etc. -----]

Do something NOW! Take the Pledge § I WILL DO EVERYTHING I CAN TO PREVENT AND REPORT ELDER ABUSE AND EXPLOITATION. § I WILL never knowingly violate the trust of the elders with whom I come in contact. § I WILL ensure that I know how to recognize elder abuse and exploitation and how to report it. § I WILL strive to educate my family, friends and associates to know when, where and how to report suspected elder abuse and exploitation “I WILL” - created by MEAPA, the Maricopa Elder Abuse Prevention Alliance, in partnership with the Arizona Association of Area Agencies on Aging

Thank You! Q&A Connect With Us [ organization name; phone number ; address; Hours of operation; social media handle(s); website]