Wednesday, June 15, 2016

June is Elder Abuse Awareness Month


June is Elder Abuse Awareness Month.  I have included some statistics below so you can better understand what elder abuse is and the different types of elder abuse.


·         Elder Abuse is an intentional or negligent action that causes harm or creates a serious risk of harm to an older adult. 

·         Accurate estimates of the prevalence of this problem are difficult to obtain, as many older people do not report being abused.

·         The most common form of elder abuse is neglect, followed by physical abuse and financial exploitation. 

·         Other forms of elder abuse include emotional abuse, sexual abuse and abandonment.

·         Most elder abuse victims are female and adult children are the most frequent abusers of older persons.

·         Risk factors for elder abuse include social isolation, dementia in the victim, mental illness of the abuser, alcohol or drug abuse, and mutual dependence between the abuser and the victim.


Different types of Elder Abuse
  • Physical Abuse—Inflicting, or threatening to inflict, physical pain or injury on a vulnerable elder, or depriving them of a basic need.
  • Emotional Abuse—Inflicting mental pain, anguish, or distress on an elder person through verbal or nonverbal acts.
  • Sexual Abuse—Non-consensual sexual contact of any kind, coercing an elder to witness sexual behaviors.
  • Exploitation—Illegal taking, misuse, or concealment of funds, property, or assets of a vulnerable elder.
  • Neglect—Refusal or failure by those responsible to provide food, shelter, health care or protection for a vulnerable elder.
  • Abandonment—The desertion of a vulnerable elder by anyone who has assumed the responsibility for care or custody of that person.
 

Wednesday, June 8, 2016

Heaven Just Got the Best Caregiver


Touching Hearts Senior Care prides itself on employing “Cream of the Crop” caregivers.  We are sad to say that Valerie Jones, a nine year caregiver for Touching Hearts passed away suddenly on June 2, 2016.  Valerie was the first caregiver hired by Touching Hearts Senior Care when we opened our doors in 2007.  She was loyal, dependable and trustworthy.  Valerie was not only a great caregiver to the clients she served, but she was a kind, true friend to those around her.  She lifted the spirits of those who were down, and encouraged other caregivers with words of experience and wisdom.

Valerie had an incredibly infectious laugh and we all enjoyed her company when she was around.  We will miss Valerie very much.  It’s not every day you come across someone like Valerie.  I guess heaven needed a caregiver and they picked the best one.  God bless you Valerie and your family.