Are you aware that abuse, exploitation, and neglect of the older adults and adults with disabilities happen right here in our community? Elder abuse is defined in the following manner:
Abuse means the willful infliction of physical pain, injury or mental anguish, unreasonable confinement, or the willful deprivation by a caretaker of services, which are necessary to maintain mental and physical health.
Exploitation means the illegal or improper use of a disabled adult or his resources for another’s profit or advantage.
Neglect refers to a disabled adult who is either living alone and not able to provide for himself the services which are necessary to maintain his mental or physical health or is not receiving services from his caretaker.
2011 – 2012 Forsyth County Adult Protective Services Annual report shares the following data:
- 80% of the adults reported to Adult Protective Services are 60 + years old
- 48% of the adults reported to Adult Protective Services reside in our service areas
- 58% of the reports were for neglect, 20% of the reports were for allegations of exploitation, 14% multiple forms of maltreatment, and 8% for abuse