Elder Abuse Prevention Coalition - Preventing Elder Abuse

Thousands cases of elder financial abuse likely occur each year in Calhoun County, like any other community our size.

Shocked? Almost everyone is.

Of course, that’s the problem. People don’t really understand, or recognize, elder abuse. Moreover, they often don’t know what to do when they see it.

Only a small fraction of elder abuse incidents is reported, leaving the victims at the mercy of their abusers.

This reprehensible activity affects the entire community. It throws seniors to the local safety net, creating havoc in their lives and sometimes even causing hopelessness.

Here are the basics:

What is elder abuse? Click here for a brief description of the types of abuse provided by the National Center on Elder Abuse.

Financial or material exploitation: The illegal or improper use of an elder's funds, property, or assets.
Physical abuse: The use of physical force that may result in bodily injury, physical pain, or impairment to the elder.
Sexual abuse: Non-consensual sexual contact of any kind with an elderly person.
Emotional or psychological abuse: The infliction of anguish, pain, or distress through verbal or nonverbal acts.
Neglect: The refusal or failure to fulfill any part of a person's obligations or duties to an elder.
Abandonment: The desertion of an elderly person by an individual who has assumed responsibility for providing care for an elder, or by a person with physical custody of an elder.
Self-neglect: The behavior of an elderly person that threatens his/her own health or safety.

If you suspect that someone you know is a victim, what should you do? Help if you can, but also call the Michigan Adult Protective Services 1-855-444-3911. Or, you can call the Calhoun County Prosecutor’s office at (269) 969-6980.

The Calhoun County Elder Abuse Prevention Coalition
Region 3B, Area Agency on Aging
200 W. Michigan Avenue, Suite 102
Battle Creek, MI 49017
(269) 441-0910 - office
(269) 441-0961 – fax
E-mail: LSommers@region3b.org