Council on Aging Answers 2015 - 84

Elder Abuse - Know the Signs
COUNCIL ON AGING - ORANGE COUNTY

FINANCE & LEGAL

n Mieka Bledsoe, MFTI, Program Coordinator for Safe
Options for Seniors with human Options

It was only supposed to be temporary. Just a few
months until they got back on their feet - and in the
meantime, an extra pair of hands around the house
would be a blessing. At least that was what Mildred
initially thought when her son, his wife and their
daughter came to live with her. But six months later,
Mildred found herself a prisoner in her own home.
Her son and his family had taken over and abused
her financially, emotionally and ultimately physically. Her plight did not catch the attention of police or
other authorities until a concerned neighbor found
Mildred with a broken arm.
This is an all too familiar scenario for hundreds
of Orange County's older adults and one that does
not always bring a happy ending. In 2012 alone,
California Department of Social Services received
25,336 reports of elder abuse and neglect. Thirty-one
percent of these reports occurred in Orange County.
Last year, Adult Protective Services received more
than 650 calls each month for suspected elder abuse
and neglect.
Two organizations working closely together to
provide safety and healing to elder abuse victims are
Orange County Adult Protective Services and Human Options, a nonprofit working to break the cycle
of domestic violence in Orange County. Human Options' Safe Options for Seniors program works with
all individuals age 50 and above who are experiencing late life family violence.
Mildred was introduced to Human Options where
she received counseling and referrals to legal advocacy in the Safe Options for Seniors Program. She
was helped with applying for a restraining order,
obtaining a court advocate and was educated on her
legal rights. While Mildred's story is tragic, it has a
triumphant ending as she is now healthy and living
safely in her home.
Know the Warning Signs for Elder Abuse
n Bruises, pressure marks, broken bones, abrasions, and burns may be an indication of physi84

Answers Guide 2015

AGELESS ALLIANCE
Ageless Alliance is a national, non-profit, social justice
movement working to eliminate elder abuse, neglect,
and exploitation through:
Awareness: Exposing the frequency and devastating
impact of elder abuse
Action: Providing tested solutions that prevent elder
abuse and ageism
Advocacy: Uniting people of all ages to take action to
prevent elder abuse
Can you help?
Join Ageless Alliance at AgelessAlliance.org to donate
and get involved.
For more information, contact Dr. Kerry Burnight, CEO of
Ageless Alliance, at: 949- 370-3262.

cal abuse, neglect or mistreatment.
n Unexplained withdrawal from normal activities, a sudden change in alertness or unusual
depression may be indicators of emotional
abuse.
n Unexplained or sudden changes in finances are
indicators of financial exploitation.
n Changes in personality, behavior or physical
condition.
n Signs of isolation, being controlled and/or
threatened.
If any one or more of these circumstances arise
with a family member, neighbor, or friend who is a
senior, you should start to question what is going on.
Late life family violence happens all too frequently
and often goes unreported. If abuse is suspected,
call the Adult Protective Services hotline at 800-4515155. To report an abuse concern regarding a resident of a long-term care facility, contact the Council
on Aging - Orange County Ombudsman Program
at 800-300-6222. For information about Safe Options for Seniors, contact Mieka Bledsoe at Human
Options at 949-737-5242, ext. 312. Both resources are
free and confidential.

COUNCIl ON AGING - ORANGe COUNTY IS A 501 (C)3 NONpROFIT CORpORATION. TO DISTRIbUTe ANSweRS FRee OF COST, we mUST Sell ADveRTISING SpACe. wHIle we AppReCIATe THe pAID lISTINGS IN ANSweRS, THeIR
Aging and Disability Resource Connection | 800-510-2020 | www.adrcoc.org
INClUSION does not imply a recommendation or endorsement of products or services by coaoc. AlwAYS be A vIGIlANT CONSUmeR. veRIFY INFORmATION AND SeeK ReFeReNCeS wHeRe AppROpRIATe.

http://www.AgelessAlliance.org

Council on Aging Answers 2015

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Council on Aging Answers 2015