AG, GBI and PAC Recognize World Elder Abuse Awareness Day

Staff Report From Georgia CEO

Monday, June 17th, 2019

Pushing, striking, slapping, pinching or beating

Burning or scalding

Hitting with a hand or instrument

Rough handling

Improper use of restraints or medications

Intentional injuries such as bruising, burns, broken bones or pain

Injuries not consistent with medical diagnosis or explanation

Forcing someone to remain in a bed or chair

Forcing someone to remain in a room (including locking them in)

Threatening someone with violence, nursing home placement, abandonment or neglect

Verbal abuse including: threats, insults, harassment, name calling or intimidating

Isolating from friends, family or activities

Ignoring or excessively criticizing

Making derogatory or slanderous statements

Repeatedly raising the issue of death

Excluding the older person from decision making when he or she is capable and wants to be included

Misuse of financial resources for another’s gain

Missing money or valuables

Credit card charges the individual did not make

Unusual activity in bank accounts, depleted bank accounts

Legal documents (such as will or power of attorney) signed by a person who does not understand what she/he is signing

Checks/documents signed when person cannot write; signatures on checks that don’t resemble the person’s signature

Eviction notice arrives when person thought s/he owned the house

Unpaid bills (rent, utilities, taxes) when someone is supposed to be paying them for the person

To report abuse, neglect, and exploitation of an older adult or disabled adult who lives in a private residence, contact your local police by dialing 911 or contact Adult Protective Services at 1-866-55AGING - Press “3.” Additionally, you can visit www.aging.ga.gov then click the Report Elder Abuse tab.

To report abuse, neglect, and exploitation of an older adult, disabled adult or resident in a facility, contact Healthcare Facility Regulation: 1-800-878-6442.

To access information on long-term supports and services, services in the home and community, or support for individuals and family members who are aging or living with a disability, contact Georgia’s Aging and Disability Resource Connection (ADRC) to locate an office in your area: www.georgiaadrc.com.

To learn more about legal measures, visit the Prosecuting Attorneys’ Council of Georgia’s website: https://pacga.org/.

Look at pages 38 – 39 of the Georgia Consumer Protection Guide for Older Adults for a full breakdown of resources in Georgia.