Philly Leader

The Pennsylvania Supreme Court Advisory Council on Elder Justice in the Courts recently recognized World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, which took place on June 15.

Warning signs of elder abuse can include changes in behavior or sleep; fear or anxiety; broken bones; bruises; welts; lack of medical aids like glasses, walkers, teeth, hearing aids or medication; poor hygiene, nutrition or dehydration; strange changes in bank account activity or money management; fraudulent signatures on financial documents; and unpaid bills; a recent news release from the Unified Judicial System of Pennsylvania said. Reports of elder abuse have increased 80% over the last five years in Pennsylvania and was exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Paying attention to the warning signs of neglect, physical, emotional and sexual abuse, as well as financial exploitation is absolutely critical in protecting seniors and vulnerable adults,” Debra Todd, Pennsylvania Supreme Court justice, said in the release. “We know that for each case of elder abuse that gets reported to authorities, there are often dozens more that never come to light. Elder abuse can happen to you, your neighbor or your loved ones – but we can help protect seniors by remaining vigilant and learning the warning signs.”

The release included five ways that people can help prevent elder abuse: Learn the signs of elder abuse; prevent isolation by calling or visiting older loved ones and asking how they are doing regularly; provide respite breaks for caregivers; sign up to be a friendly visitor to an older person in the community; and encourage bank managers to train tellers on how to spot elder financial abuse, along with asking doctors to talk to older patients about potential family violence.

Anyone who sees signs of elderly abuse is asked to take immediate action by reporting the suspected abuse via the Pa. Statewide Elder Abuse Hotline at 1-800-490-8505.