WARNING SIGNS according to the National Center on Elder Abuse • Physical Abuse: Slap marks, Mayor Jones urged, “As long as we tolerate it, it will continue. In the community, people just haven’t given thought to it, perhaps have even accepted it as normal behavior.” That may seem like a surprising statement, but when considered further it may be more accurate than we like to admit. The abuser may be a friendly neighbor who has a dementia parent living with them. While out in the yard, the parent begins to wander off. The neighbor yells at his or her parent in a frustrated tone, telling the parent to come back into the area. Then harshly grabs the parent’s arm to take them inside the house. What may not seem as an obvious abuse situation in public view may escalate into something much worse when they go inside. “Seniors have life and great value. We need to enhance and fulϐill it to the highest possible levelǤdz Mayor Jones went on to explain the Calvert City facility has been home to former federal agents, a 108 year old former teacher, an individual who helped break the Japanese code during WW II, among many other noteworthy individuals. These unique individuals are not isolated to the facility in Calvert City. The elder population as a whole is full of wisdom. Yet, the wisdom and other historic treasures remain locked up in the minds of elders. Mayor Jones warned, “We don’t take time to listen. They (elders) slowly fade into the darkness.” As a community and nation we can take positive steps to prevent elder abuse. The American Psychological Association suggests educating people about elder abuse, increasing the availability of respite care, promoting support and social contact for families, and encouraging counseling and treatment to cope with personal and family problems that contribute to abuse. For more information about elder abuse, visit www.ncea.aoa.gov. To report suspected abuseǡ contact your local law enforcement ofϐice or call the 24-hour hotline at 1-800-752-6200 to report it anonymously. If there is immediate danger, call 911 to report the abuse. ʄ unexplained bruises, welts, cuts, and certain types of burns or blisters, such as cigarette burns, repeated injuries • Neglect: Untreated pressure ulcersǡ ϐilthǡ lack of medical careǡ malnutrition or dehydration, elder conϐined to bed is left without careǡ home is ϐilthy or in disrepairǡ lack of basic hygiene or lack of adequate food and water • Emotional Abuse: Withdrawal from normal activities, unexplained changes in alertness, or other unusual behavioral changes, caregiver isolates elder from others, unusually fearful or suspicious • Financial Abuse/Exploitation: udden change in ϐinances and accounts, altered wills and trusts, unusual bank withdrawals, checks written as “loans” or “gifts” and loss of property, signatures on checks don’t match the account or don’t match the older person’s signature Calvert City Convalescent Center balloon lift-off on June 15th 2016
