During the month of June, Adult Protective Services (APS) collaborates with community advocates across Texas to raise awareness on elder abuse.
It is a topic that many of us would rather not talk about. However, each of us has something in common. It is inevitable that one day each one of us will age and become an older adult in our community.
Sadly, many homes across the great state of Texas have an older adult who is either abused, neglected or financially exploited. It is something that I personally feel is not discussed, and often we would rather not get involved when we suspect someone we know is experiencing this.
Last year statewide APS received and investigated 88,841 cases of abuse, neglect and exploitation. Of those cases, 50,974 were confirmed of either abuse, neglect or financial exploitation of older adults or adults with a disabling condition in 2025 according to Department of Family & Protective Services Annual Data Books.
Self-neglect was at least one factor for most of those people. Adult Protective Services investigates these situations and connects older adults with resources to mitigate maltreatment. A few examples are referrals for provider services, utility assistance or turning on your air conditioner. APS is here to help and wants to assist older adults to have a better life and to live in their homes with dignity and respect.
Consistently educating the public through advocacy and action will provide awareness and prevention of elder abuse. This is key to ensuring the well-being of many older adults in our community.
Elder abuse is defined as intentional and negligent acts by a caregiver or family member that causes harm, distress or serious risk. As people become older and frailer, they are unable to take care of themselves and require trusted caregivers and family members to be responsible for their needs.
Elder abuse manifests in many forms:
• Physical abuse is when an individual inflicts pain or injury by bodily contact such as scratches, cuts, bruises, burns or even broken bones.
• Sexual abuse can be defined as non-consensual touching, fondling, intercourse or any other sexual activity.
• Abuse can also be emotional or psychological. This is seen when individuals verbally assault or harass an elderly person.
• Neglect is when a caregiver fails to provide survival necessities such as food, clothing, shelter or medical care. They can even fail to provide sanitary living conditions.
• Older adults are also susceptible to self-neglect in which the elderly individual fails to perform their own self-care tasks.
• Deprivation happens when caregivers deny medication and medical care.
• When the caregiver denies the attention the elderly person needs, this is called abandonment.
• The most common form of elderly abuse is financial exploitation. An elderly person’s finances can be compromised when there is illegal and unauthorized improper use of an older individual’s resources.
It is important to know what forms of abuse are happening whether the caregiver is a professional or family member. Prevention and response strategies are key to helping older adults be safe and well. If you witness a suspicious situation of elder abuse, call the Texas Abuse Hotline at 1-800-252-5400 or report online at the TxAbuseHotline.org.
Get involved and play an active role in the life of older adults in your family. It is the perfect time to check on our elderly family, friends and neighbors. Ask questions and ensure that their needs are met. We need to be the voice of older adults and advocate for their well-being.
June is Elder Abuse Awareness Month. Support the fight against abuse, neglect and exploitation of older adults. It can start with you!
Grace Ortiz is Adult Protective Services community engagement specialist.
This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: OPINION: Recognizing the signs of elder abuse
Reporting by Grace Ortiz, Guest columnist / El Paso Times
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By Grace Ortiz, Guest columnist | USA TODAY Network
