Now, keep up to date
with daily feeds of newly posted stories
about America's Seniors...click on the box
to the left
Pennsylvania Department of Aging urges
citizens to report abuse and neglect of
Older Adults
HARRISBURG, Pa., July 27
/PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Pennsylvanians
are urged to immediately report the
suspected abuse or neglect of an older adult
by calling the state's Elder Abuse Hotline
at 1-800-490-8505, Secretary of Aging John
Michael Hall said today.
Older individuals who
are being abused or neglected are also urged
to call the hotline.
"Older adults have the
right to live a life free from abuse and
neglect, which can take many forms," said
Hall.
"I urge citizens to
check on older relatives and neighbors, be
educated about the warning signs of abuse
and notify authorities when they suspect
that someone is being harmed. Reports can be
made confidentially and without fear of
reprisal."
Abuse can range from
physical actions -- such as hitting or
punching -- to verbal and emotional attack,
theft or pressure to sign documents, neglect
and deprivation of dignity.
Some warning signs of
potential abuse are bruises or marks on the
body, weight loss and the unexplained
disappearance of money or personal property.
Sexual abuse can be more
difficult to determine, but can involve
improper touching and rape.
Neglect can include
isolation and failure to provide proper
nutrition and personal hygiene.
Calls to the Elder Abuse
Hotline, 1-800-490-8505, are automatically
directed to the nearest Area Agency on Aging
for prompt response. The 52 agencies are
also listed on the department's Web site at
www.aging.state.pa.us. Reports can
be made anonymously.
In partnership with
Temple University at Harrisburg's Institute
on Protective Services, the department has
been instrumental in recovering or
protecting from theft more than $6 million
in assets belonging to older adults.
For more information
about the Department of Aging, visit
www.aging.state.pa.us .
... ..
...
...