It’s estimated that 5 million people over the age of 60 each year are abused by a family member, a friend, maybe by a caregiver or by someone who works for them.
The Show’s Lauren Gilger joins is here with more on this.
What exactly does this mean when we say elder abuse?
It can be a range of things: an elderly person might have money stolen from them, they might be left alone, without necessary care, or they might succumb to isolation and self-neglect.
This is where you often see cases of hoarding tendencies crop up.
It’s a public-health problem that doesn’t get the same kind of attention that domestic violence or child abuse does, according to Mary Lynn Kasunic with the Area Agency on Aging.
I spoke with her, as well as their Care Coordination Director Scott Hawthorn Thwaite more about this issue.
They’re speaking out today because it’s World Elder Abuse Day … and they say, there are a lot of factors that can lead to this.
Kasunic also told me that if you do have concerns about an elderly person in your life, you can call Adult Protective Services at (877) 767-2385.
