One Local Agency is working to advocate for the safety of area seniors during elder abuse awareness month. Bobbie Johnson, Director of PR & Advancement for the Clearfield County Area Agency on Aging says 1 in 10 adults aged 60+ have experienced some form of elder abuse. She says 1 in 14 cases go unreported.
Johnson saying: “It’s a call to action for our community to raise awareness on what elder abuse is and recommit to the principle of justice for all.”
Johnson says elder abuse can include neglect, physical and emotional abuse along with financial abuse. Johnson adding: “Some of the signs that we want people to look for would be changes in that older adults behavior or their sleep patterns, if they have an increased fear or anxiety.”
She says other signs can include sadness and major changes to the older adult’s financial situation. Within the past year, Johnson says they’ve seen an increase in elder abuse cases. She attributes that to COVID-19, saying: “When you see those types of social isolation that can set up a situation that can be detrimental.”
