Our elderly neighbors deserve our attention, care
June is elder abuse awareness month. It is important that in our Catholic communities, we take the opportunity to engage with and look out for elderly people just as we do with children. Elder abuse can be emotional, physical, sexual or financial, and neglect can also be considered a form of abuse.
Signs of potential abuse:
June is elder abuse awareness month. It is important that in our Catholic communities, we take the opportunity to engage with and look out for elderly people just as we do with children. Elder abuse can be emotional, physical, sexual or financial, and neglect can also be considered a form of abuse.
Signs of potential abuse:
- Physical signs: unexplained injury, malnutrition/dehydration, soiled clothing or bed linens, improper medication dispensation
- Behavioral signs: out of the ordinary fear, anxiety or depression
- Signs of financial exploitation: unpaid bills, unusual bank activity, lack of access to money, frequent expensive gifts to caregivers, lack of autonomy with legal documents
- Signs of abuse by caregiver: anger toward the adult in care, isolation of the adult in care, history of criminal/abusive behavior
If you have reasonable cause to believe an elderly person is being or has been abused, call the Texas Abuse Hotline at 1-800-252-5400 or call 911.
As technology evolves, so too do the methods scammers use to exploit their victims. Elderly adults are especially vulnerable to online and phone scams. We must be cautious about unsolicited communications and make sure to verify the authenticity of companies that call, text or email. It is also prudent to set up fraud protection through a trusted bank.
If you have reasonable cause to believe an elderly person has been scammed or has experienced financial exploitation, you should call 911 to report this elder abuse.
Remember, no matter what, everyone deserves to live free from abuse.
Abby Turner is director of Ethics and Integrity in Ministry for the Diocese of Austin. She studied allied health and psychology at Texas A&M University. When not at work, she enjoys reading, running and exploring Austin.
