World Awareness Day Turns Spotlight on Elder Abuse

By the Bellevue Network on Aging

To bring attention to misconduct perpetrated against older adults, groups around the world are proclaiming June 15, 2009 as the fourth Annual World Elder Abuse Awareness Day. The day is set aside in support of the United Nations International Plan of Action, which recognizes the significance of elder abuse as a public health and human rights issue.  In Bellevue, the Mayor will recognize World Elder Abuse Awareness Day with a proclamation on Monday, June 1 at 8:00 p.m. at Bellevue City Hall.

"Elder abuse" describes a range of offenses. The signs of abuse are sometimes hard to distinguish. In most cases, elder abuse is perpetrated by a known, trusted person, usually a family member. Neglect and self-neglect are the most common types of abuse, although emotional abuse and financial exploitation are fairly common too. Startling examples include the story of a Bellevue woman accused of convincing an elderly man suffering from dementia to marry her, and emptying his bank account the very same day. Or, the retired firefighter convicted in April of beating his 90 year old mother to death. And, the 17 year old who was recently accused of taking a cell phone picture of his 87 year old neighbor after allegedly robbing and stabbing her to death.

As community members, family and friends, we all need to be vigilant. To identify mistreatment, experts recommend looking for clues like unexplained physical injuries or repeated accidents. Changes in behavior such as crying, isolation, deteriorating health and hygiene sometimes point to mistreatment. Financial troubles that appear out of the blue can send up red flags signaling possible exploitation. Dilapidated homes with rodent infestations may indicate neglect or self-neglect.

If you suspect an older or disabled adult is being abused, neglected or exploited, immediately call the state protective service hotline, 1-866-END-HARM (1-866-363-4276). Police also recommend calling 911 to request that the Police perform a "Welfare Check." 
     
To learn more about Elder Abuse, watch Bellevue TV, Channel 21, on Tuesdays at 12:00 p.m., 4:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. Or, go to the City of Kirkland website to watch on demand the 22 minute, multi-award winning video, Elder Abuse: Neglect & Self-Neglect.