Suspect Abuse?
We all have a role in keeping loved ones, including older adults, safe. Often, individuals age 60 or older experience abuse from someone they trust.
Concerned About An Older Adult?
Maybe something doesn't seem right. The older adult seems afraid or withdrawn, there are unexplained bruises, bills are piling up, money is disappearing, or a caregiver won't leave them alone with visitors. These signs are worth paying attention to.
Elder abuse can include:
- Physical Abuse – inflicting physical pain or injury on an older adult. (Example: slapping, bruising, or restraining by physical or chemical means)
- Sexual Abuse – non-consensual sexual contact of any kind.
- Neglect – the failure by those responsible to provide food, shelter, health care, or protection for a vulnerable elder.
- Exploitation – the illegal taking, misuse, or concealment of funds, property, or assets of a senior for someone else’s benefit. (Ex: Financial)
- Emotional Abuse – inflicting mental pain, anguish, or distress on an elder person through verbal or nonverbal acts. (Ex: humiliating, intimidating, or threatening)
- Abandonment – desertion of a vulnerable elder by anyone who has assumed the responsibility for care or custody of that person.
- Self-Neglect – characterized as the failure of a person to perform essential, self-care tasks and that such failure threatens his/her own health or safety.
Elder abuse can happen at home, in the community, or in a long-term care setting.
If you are concerned about an older adult, help is available. If someone is in immediate danger, call 911.
To report suspected abuse: Call 1-800-917-7383 (1-800-91Prevent), 24 hours a day, from anywhere within the state of Maryland.
Cases can also be reported to local Department of Social Services (DSS), Adult Protective Services Offices.
Find Local DSS https://dhs.maryland.gov/local-offices/
Signs Of Abuse
Just as there are multiple types of abuse, there are a variety of signs of abuse. These include:
Physical Abuse
- cuts, bruises, welts or wounds
- burns
- seeming unkempt, dirty, smelly
- malnourished
- an untreated medical condition
- injuries that seem unusal
Behavioral
- anger
- depression
- confusion
- fear
- helplessness
- shame
Social
- isolation withdrawal from friends, family and activities
- substance abuse, acting out
- difficulty speaking freely
Financial
- unusual spending activities
- changing bank account
- unpaid bills
- signatures on checks and other documents do not match
You Don't Need to Be Certain Before Speaking Up
It can be hard to know what to do when you are worried about someone, especially when the situation involves a family member, friend, caregiver, or another person the older adult trusts.
You do not have to investigate the situation yourself or prove that abuse is occurring. Even if you do not have much detailed information and are unclear about certain parts of the situation, it is best to call APS and provide the information you have so they can evaluate the report and decide how best to proceed.
Reports may be made anonymously, and confidentiality is protected.
In Maryland, suspected abuse, neglect, self-neglect, or financial or sexual exploitation of a vulnerable adult can be reported to Adult Protective Services through the local Department of Social Services.
Call 1-800-91-PREVENT (1-800-917-7383) to report suspected adult abuse or neglect.
Other programs that help
There are situations in which a report is made to APS, and because of not meeting their definition/standards of abuse, they do not investigate or intervene. If additional assistance and resources are still needed in these situations, it may be beneficial to contact some of the following types of agencies and services:
-
- Case/Care Management – Some programs work with seniors and vulnerable adults to assess their needs; develop care plans; access services; coordinate the delivery of needed services; ensure that services are obtained; and follow up and monitor progress. https://search.211md.org/search?query=PH-1000&query_label=Case%2FCare%20Management&query_type=taxonomy&distance=25&filters%5Bage_group%5D%5B0%5D=Older%20Adults%20%2855%2B%29
- Maryland Access Point (MAP) – Maryland Access Point serves as a single point of entry for numerous programs and resources that assist seniors and adults (18+) with disabilities. Specialists will assess needs and make appropriate referrals. Click to find a MAP office in your area
- https://search.marylandaccesspoint.211md.org/ Powered by Maryland INformation Network
- Case/Care Management – Some programs work with seniors and vulnerable adults to assess their needs; develop care plans; access services; coordinate the delivery of needed services; ensure that services are obtained; and follow up and monitor progress. https://search.211md.org/search?query=PH-1000&query_label=Case%2FCare%20Management&query_type=taxonomy&distance=25&filters%5Bage_group%5D%5B0%5D=Older%20Adults%20%2855%2B%29
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