Board proclaims June 15 Elder Abuse Awareness Day

June 01, 2010

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Sponsored by Multnomah County Commissioner Judy Shiprack in recognition of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, the Multnomah County Board of Commissioners will dedicate June 15 to the cause of elder abuse awareness and prevention, and acknowledgment of it as a public health and human rights issue.

Elder abuse is a hazard for older citizens living in our community; it is often either difficult to identify or a result of self-neglect. Abuse of older adults can be physical, verbal, financial, emotional or psychological, and can come from a caregiver, member of their household, staff in a facility or themselves. Some warning signs of abuse or neglect include injuries that don’t match the explanation, weight loss and poor hygiene, unpaid bills regardless of monetary situation, social isolation, and ignored medical or mental conditions.

It is important to understand that older citizens are often the victims of neglect because of a general lack of awareness or inability to provide essential care for themselves. The Public Guardian Program and the Gatekeeper Program are two efforts by Multnomah County Aging and Disability Services to combat these challenges to the well-being of elderly people. Public Guardians provide crucial decision-making assistance and support to those who are mentally incapable of making these choices themselves. Gatekeepers are people who encounter adults during everyday interactions, like bank tellers or postal workers, who are trained to recognize signs of neglect or abuse and report them to the appropriate agencies.

Anyone can report abuse, neglect or other harm being done to older adults or people with disabilities by calling the 24-hour Adult Protective Services Helpline at (503) 988-3646. Non-emergency information provided by the Helpline can also be accessed through the Aging and Disability Services Network of Care website.

Watch a MultCo Presents video about elder abuse and prevention: