When and how to report elderly abuse cases

Many elderly and disabled people are like babies –– vulnerable and helpless.

They’re an easy target for abuse, neglect and exploitation.

For those who suspect a disabled person is being mistreated, how do they verify their concerns? And if they feel justified, who do they call?

When checking for indications of abuse, it’s important to know what to look for and the information you’ll need when you report concerns to the Adult Protective Services program in the Rowan County Department of Social Services.

Adult Protective Services’ role is to evaluate allegations of abuse and provide outreach and protection for the individual.

The number of abuse, neglect and exploitation cases in 2000 doubled from 1999.

“Last year, Adult Protective Services had a monthly average between 20 and 30 cases, creating close to 300 cases,” said Supervisor Carol Addington. “In 1999, our monthly average was only between six and 12 cases.”

In the past, Adult Protective Services workers usually dealt with people suffering from physical handicaps and dementia.

But in the past two years, the department has encountered more cases of severe mental illnesses and substance abuse, causing social workers’ workload to snowball, Addington said.

“For two years, we had one worker dealing with 50 clients at one time...”Addington said. “But once our cases began hitting the 200 mark, we just had to get more help” and hired another social worker, Daina Frederick, in July 2000.

Signs of abuse

Whether you know the person well or not, signs of abuse come in many variations. Here are common behaviors to look for:

• Avoidance of eye contact
• Confusion
• Hesitance to talk openly
• Withdrawal
• Change in appetite or sleep patterns
• Radical change in behavior
•   Depression

Some physical signs of abuse are:

• Unusual or unexplained bruises, welts, fractures and burns
• Tremendous weight loss
• Inappropriate clothing for temperature or conditions

And, obviously, you should take note of a caretaker’s behavior, especially yelling or screaming at the victim or inappropriate physical contact such as pushing, shoving, grabbing or hitting the person.

Reporting process

When reporting suspected abuse of an adult to the Department of Social Services, try to get as much vital information from the person as possible.

“Instead of us bombarding the disabled person with questions, it makes it easier when the reporter gives us something to go on.” said Betty Beaver, a social worker in the Adult Protective Services unit who monitors adult day care.

Beaver, one of two social workers in Adult Protective Services, said the person reporting possible abuse can expect to be asked a series of questions: the victim’s name and address, age or date of birth; caregiver/caretaker’s name, if any; explanation of the situation and why they feel the person needs protection; mental or physical conditions of the adult; and names of others who may help provide information regarding the situation, if available.

Adult Protective Services will protect the identity of people reporting suspected abuse as well as information given to Social Services.

“Once we have the information, in 72 hours we do a home visit with the client and/or caretaker,” Beaver said. “During the visit, we take the time to look around the house to see if there’s food, proper shelter, etc.”

If Social Services’ officials believe a person has been abused, they evaluate the victim’s circumstances, including their financial, physical and mental status.

“Our goal is to help them remain in their home as independent as possible,” said Frederick, the other Adult Protective Services social worker. “And the last thing we want to do is pull them out of their home unless we have to.”

If an adult needs to go to a rest home or nursing home, Lisa Holshouser, Social Services’ adult home specialist, suggested several ways to evaluate a facility.

“When you are doing a tour of the facility, look at the patient/staff ratio to see how many residents are assigned to one worker,” Holshouser said. “Also look at the cleanliness of the facility and residents. Check to see if there are any activities going on or are the residents just standing around? Look at the patient/staff interaction.”

State inspections of nursing homes, including any problems found, are a public record, and Holshouser suggested asking nursing home officials to provide a copy.

Rest homes aren’t required to do this, but Holshouser said members of the public can contact her for that information.

The Adult Protective Services unit operates on a tight budget and count on assistance from the community and other local agencies.

“We receive federal funding, but it’s been the same amount for five years, and we have to share that with six other programs in this unit,” Addington said.

“With our services in line and the help from the community, we can put a stop to the hurting of our disabled and elderly adults. We will do whatever it takes to protect them and keep them safe.”

For more information about how to recognize abuse among disabled adults, to report an abuse, or receive assistance for yourself, call Adult Protective Services at 704-633-4921 or visit the Web site www.co.rowannc.us/dss/services.htm . To research nursing homes online, go to www.medicare.gov .

Contact reporter Cortney L. Hill at 704-797-4249 or chill@ salisburypost.com .