|
|
|
|
|
State Officials spread word on how to spot Elder Abuse
June 2010--Experts from the Department of Health and Senior Services will host a series of meetings this month to discuss ways you can help an elderly person avoid becoming a victim of abuse.
The presentations, prompted by World Elder Abuse Awareness Day on June 15, will focus on how to spot elder abuse and how to report it to authorities.
Abuse of the elderly is a growing problem in Missouri, where officials last year received an average of 85 reports a day of abuse, neglect or exploitation.
Of the 30,871 reports the department received in 2009, about 10 percent involved financial exploitation. Financial exploitation occurs when an elderly or disabled adult’s resources are diverted for another person’s gain.
Margaret Donnelly, director of the Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS), said the elderly are often prime targets because they may need help with daily tasks and might be socially isolated. But they often have significant assets. Elder abuse can go unnoticed because it is often hidden from view.
“We can reduce such abuses and the toll they take on seniors if victims’ neighbors, friends and relatives know the signs,” Donnelly said. “These can range from obvious problems such as bruises, soiled clothing or unsafe living conditions to more subtle concerns such as unpaid bills, weight loss or depression.”
Other signs of neglect or abuse include a senior’s lack of necessities, such as food, or problems with utilities or medication, Donnelly said. Elder abuse tends to be underreported because the victim often has an emotional bond with the perpetrator.
The consequences of abuse can be especially serious for older adults because their bones are more brittle and recuperation takes longer. Even a relatively minor injury can cause serious and permanent damage.
The presentations on elder abuse are already scheduled at senior centers and senior housing complexes from St. Joseph to Chillicothe to St. Louis. The meetings are scheduled from June 9 through June 28. See below for a complete listing.
Donnelly urged Missourians to join the rest of the world in donning purple on June 15 to raise awareness of elder abuse. To raise awareness further, the National Council on Elder Abuse will run a 15-second informational piece featuring actor William Mapother on U.S. movie screens. Mapother plays Ethan Rom on the TV show “Lost.” The announcements will run until June 24.
In Missouri, the Department of Health and Senior Services receives and investigates reports of abuse and neglect of the elderly and persons with disabilities. Anyone who suspects a senior or disabled Missourian is being abused, neglected or exploited should call the department’s toll-free hotline at 1-800-392-0210.
List of elder abuse presentations by DHSS staff in June:
9:00 a.m. June 9 South County Senior Center 9415 Gentry St. Louis Presenters: Jennifer Indelicato and Karen Siegel
10:15 a.m. June 9 West County Senior Center 14535 Manchester Ballwin Presenter: Helga Werth-Morgan
12:30 p.m. June 9 Clinton Senior Center 970 E. Sedalia Ave. Clinton Presenter: Wanda Staley
10:00 a.m. June 15 Green Lantern Senior Center 506 S. Linn Ave. Wentzville Presenter: Karen Klearman
10:45 a.m. June 15 Southside Senior Center 2215 S. Fremont Springfield Presenter: Randy Weaver
11:00 a.m. June 15 Nodaway Senior Center 1210 E. 1st St. Maryville Presenter: Karen Worthington
11:00 a.m. June 15 St. Clair County Senior Center 120 Pine St. Osceola Presenter: Wanda Staley
11:30 a.m. June 15 Slater Senior Center 123 Main St. Slater Presenters: Christy Thorp and Kim Chastine
12:30 p.m. June 15 Hickory County Senior Center Hwy. 54 Wheatland Presenter: Wanda Staley
11:30 a.m. June 16 Warsaw Senior Center 920 Gunstock Warsaw Presenters: Renee Mazurek or Deana Schlesselman
11 a.m. June 17 Cameron Nutrition Site 315 E. 3rd Cameron Presenter: Karen Worthington
11 a.m. June 17 Cole Camp Senior Center 206 Jungle St. Cole Camp Presenter: Renee Mazurek or Deana Schlesselman
11:30 a.m. June 18 Concordia Senior Center 710 Main St. Concordia Presenters: Christine Walther and Deana Schlesselman
10:45 a.m. June 22 Mercer County Senior Center 110 Broadway Princeton Presenter: Christal Reeter
11:00 a.m. June 22 Washington Senior Center 1459 W. 5th St. Washington Presenter: Teresa Gentry
11:30 a.m. June 22 Calvin Senior Center 1412 N. 3rd St. St. Joseph Presenter: Haley Ludington
11:30 a.m. June 23 Wesley Towers (senior housing complex) 1002 Francis St. St. Joseph Presenter: Kim Piper
11:15 a.m. June 25 Stockton Senior Center 510 E. Hwy. 32 Stockton Presenter: Wanda Staley
11:30 a.m. June 25 Grand River Multipurpose Center 440 Locust Chillicothe Presenter: Jamie Wes
11:00 a.m. June 28 Sullivan Senior Center 730 W. Main St. Sullivan Presenter: Teresa Gentry
... .. ... ...
|
|
