Protective Services
Protective Services
Elder abuse and crimes targeting older people are a real issue that comes in many forms including:
- Neglect
- Physical abuse
- Financial abuse
- Sexual abuse.
Learn how to stay safe and report suspected abusers.
Signs of elder abuse
Although these signs do not always mean elder abuse, it is important to be aware that elder abuse can occur at anytime to anyone:
- Bruises or broken bones
- Weight loss
- Dementia may be blamed on “old age” when the real cause is malnutrition or drug interactions or side effects.
- The older person never goes outside or never sees visitors
- Withdrawing large sums of money from a savings account without apparent reason
- Signing over his or her home to a relative
Any person who believes that an older adult is being abused, neglected, exploited or abandoned may call the elder abuse hotline. The hotline is open 24 hours a day.
If you have concerns about the quality of care an older person is receiving from a facility or a caregiver, please call your local Area Agency on Aging for guidance.