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1,200 Elderly Or Disabled Adults Reported Abused In Escambia, Santa Rosa
June 16, 2012
Over 1,200 elderly or disabled adults were reported to be abused last fiscal year in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties.
According to the Florida Department of Children and Families, elder abuse is an often under-recognized and unreported problem. Research indicates that more than one in ten elders may experience some type of abuse, but only one in five cases or fewer are reported. Many times the elderly are abused by people they trust. Elders can be reluctant to report their abuse and often go without the help they need.
With 941 reported cases, Escambia County led the Florida Panhandle in the case of abuse, neglect or exploitation of elderly or disabled adults last fiscal year. There were 263 cases reported in Santa Rosa County.
“Every day, hundreds of elderly or disabled adults are being mistreated physically, emotionally or financially,” said DCF Secretary David Wilkins. “Please take time to check on your family members, friends and neighbors to make sure that the needs of these vulnerable members of our community are being met.”
DCF offers the following ways you can help prevent abuse and neglect of vulnerable adults:
- If you suspect an elderly or disabled adult is being victimized, call the Florida Abuse Hotline at 1-800-962-2873.
- Keep in contact with older friends, neighbors and relatives. It might be their only chance to talk to someone about any problems they might be experiencing.
- Contact your local Area Agency on Aging to identify programs and support, such as Meals on Wheels. These programs help seniors maintain health, well-being and independence.
- Volunteer at a local program that helps vulnerable adults.
Friday was World Elder Abuse Awareness Day
Comments
7 Responses to “1,200 Elderly Or Disabled Adults Reported Abused In Escambia, Santa Rosa”
Maybe William could run a follow-up article on some of the agencies that help seniors. The Council on Aging does a great job on limited funds! The area hospitals have a person who comes out and tells you what sort of simple changes would make your home more senior friendly. I think you contact the social workers there.
Many people suddenly find themselves caring for an elderly relative and they have no medical training to recognize signs of serious or potentially serious conditions. They don’t know there is help out there or where to find it. Call the Council on Aging, they can give you so much information and put you in contact with people who can help. They can even help the caregiver get a few hours break when they need it. I learned so much when I took care of my Mom, and one thing I learned that was very important: ASK QUESTIONS! Ask the person you care for how they feel, ask their doctor questions, ask people who took care of their parents, relative, etc. But most important, ask for help when you need it!!
Yes it is hard If anyone has ever tookcare of someone then they should understand that people do break down it is no excuse to hurt anyone but really a little help is better then no help. Even a simple good job is better than nothing.
I would not abuse someone — but I can sort of understand why it happens. A single care giver can be pushed over the edge. There may be a number of children in a family but only one is acting as the care giver and the physical and mental stress can be more than the care giver can take. When a parent or who ever is abuse then the other children get mad at the care giver — but they never offer to help. I know of several people who are trying to keep a family member at home and the rest of the family just goes their happy way. They never offer to sit with the parent for a day or with the cost of the care. I well know there are people who mistreat others –but there are some times care givers who just can’t handle the stress and over react. Look around and you’ll see some of them— offer to help.
My heart breaks for them.
WHO could ever hurt an old person or a child?
I wish I could get a grant to open a huge facility, and I would make darn sure they lived out the rest of thier days in pure happiness, and never have to worry about being abused!
There is money for animals, research, deadbeats, but none for the elderly.
What a shame.
Unfortunately one of those abusers is the State of Florida via DCF and the Florida Dept of Health. They put people through administrative abuse constantly. They may be trying to weed out or prevent fraud, but the system has been really abusive to the most vulnerable who legitimately need help or assistance whether it is in getting food or getting approved for Social Security.
Another demographic of people in the state being abused are those having a life altering injury on the job and have to deal with the administrative challenges of Florida’s Work Comp system. They get absolutely no support while being medically neglected and administratively abused and are a weak group unable to gain political support. Who lobbies the government on behalf of the sick, lame and dying ?
I could never abuse my elder parents or any elder for any reason. But some elders are not as blessed to have good children or family who love them, and want to take care of them in their later years. If I were to see this kind of abuse I would report it no matter who it might be. Shame on you who do this kind of abuse.