{"id":6877,"date":"2022-08-11T12:17:37","date_gmt":"2022-08-11T12:17:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/preferhome.com\/being-aware-of-elder-abuse\/"},"modified":"2022-08-11T12:17:37","modified_gmt":"2022-08-11T12:17:37","slug":"being-aware-of-elder-abuse","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/preferhome.com\/locations\/blog\/being-aware-of-elder-abuse\/","title":{"rendered":"Being Aware of Elder Abuse"},"content":{"rendered":"

What is elder abuse? <\/strong><\/h2>\n

An accepted academic definition of elder abuse is “any knowing, intentional, or negligent act by a caregiver or any other person that causes harm or a serious risk of harm to a vulnerable adult.”<\/p>\n

This definition — from the Administration on Aging (AoA), a governmental agency — while a clear and clinical explanation, just doesn\u2019t convey the frightening and cruel reality of elder abuse.<\/p>\n

It is the difference between listing the words \u201cknowing or negligent act by a caregiver\u201d or \u201charm to a vulnerable adult\u201d and hearing about 75-year-old Marie Bois Belfort from Massachusetts who was found dehydrated, undernourished, and covered with open sores in a cold basement belonging to her supposed caregiver.<\/p>\n

Ms. Belfort’s pain and plight went unreported till an aid worker alerted the proper authorities.<\/p>\n

A further reality of elder abuse is that most mistreatment of the elderly happens secretly and behind closed doors away from scrutiny.<\/p>\n

And unfortunately, it often goes unreported.<\/p>\n

The only effective way to combat this type of shadowy abuse is to be alert<\/a> and look for it. This proactive commitment is a must to protect the vulnerable people in your life.<\/p>\n

What are the warning signs of elder abuse?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

The AoA offers a useful list of warning signs that could help you recognize and stop on-going abuse. These signs include:<\/p>\n