According to the U.S. Center for Disease Control (CDC)
“Each year, hundreds of thousands of adults over the age of 60 are abused, neglected, or financially exploited.
“Elder abuse, including neglect and exploitation, is experienced by 1 out of every 10 people, ages 60 and older, who live at home. This statistic is likely underestimated because many victims are unable or afraid to disclose or report the violence.”
How to spot elder abuse and what to do about it.
When thinking about domestic violence, the image of a young family often comes to mind. The truth is, abuse can happen at any age and in any living situation.
Just like other kinds of abuse, elder abuse may take many different forms:
Elder abuse frequently goes unreported, so it’s difficult to know how prevalent this is. The World Health Organization says anywhere between 1% and 10% of senior adults are affected.
According to the National Council for Aging Care, only 1 in 24 cases are actually reported.
Because not all senior adults are able to communicate incidents of abuse, it’s important that those close to them watch for warning signs.
Following are five warning signs of elder abuse from the Administration for Community Living:
If you suspect an elderly loved one is being abused, report it to authorities. If the threat is immediate, call 911.
Resources in Kankakee and Iroquois Counties:
Harbor House 24-Hour Hotline: 815-932-5800
Catholic Charities in Kankakee at 815-933-7791
Adult Protective Services (all of Illinois) 1-866-800-1409, 1-888-206-1327 (TTY)
Information from DomesticShelters.org website.