Article by Michael Holtzman
Herald News Staff Reporter
Posted Jun 15, 2009 @ 08:49 PM
Preventing Elder Abuse
Communities must do more to prevent elder abuse, Bristol County District Attorney Sam Sutter said Monday at a panel event recognizing World Elder Abuse Awareness Day. “Now is the time to bring elder abuse to the forefront,” Sutter said, saying communities have a responsibility to protect the most vulnerable among them. “Through education and awareness, we can prevent a significantly greater percentage of seniors becoming victims of abuse,” Sutter said at the brief program with law enforcement and political partners at Bristol Elder Services. The organization represents nearly two dozen SouthCoast communities, including the cities of Fall River, New Bedford, Taunton and Attleboro and local towns of Somerset, Swansea, Freetown and Westport.
Less than 1 percent of Bristol Elder Services' nearly $17 million budget is earmarked for abuse prevention, Director of Programs Karen Scott Statser said.
Mayor Robert Correia, who chaired the House Committee on Elder Affairs as a state representative, said the elderly population is projected to double in coming years. He said awareness is necessary because the abuses suffered by elderly people are often overlooked. Wrong or convenient medical assumptions are sometimes made, Correia said.
Bristol Elder Services helps clients connect with lawyers, obtain restraining orders, relieve caregivers and establish a rapport with people who need services. The agency reported that 51 percent of the 431 cases opened between July and March were regarding elder self-neglect. They attributed 18 percent to caretaker neglect, 13 percent to emotional neglect and 9 percent for physical neglect.
Sutter said in two-thirds of cases, the victim's family plays some role in that neglect. In addition to the 431 cases opened — an increase of 62 cases from the prior year — 731 investigations were conducted from a total of 1,362 intakes received.
Bristol County Sheriff Thomas Hodgson also sat on the panel, along with police chiefs John M. Souza from Fall River and Ronald Teachman from New Bedford. Hodgson said law enforcement cooperation is important at a time of rising elder abuse. “We’re doing the best we can to try to protect what’s supposed to be their golden years,” said Hodgson.
Sutter outlined steps his office is taking to curb elder abuse. With national statistics showing 1 million to 2 million cases of elder abuse each year, and perhaps five times as many cases unreported, Sutter said issues of shame and relatives and loved ones being involved can cause information to be withheld.
Earlier this month, the district attorney’s office held its first in a series of informational meeting for greater Attleboro’s Council on Aging and more than 100 people attended. Sutter said he appointed Assistant District Attorney James McKenna to handle all elderly abuse cases.
A year ago the Southeastern Alliance for Elders, a local elder justice coalition, was formed with help from a $10,000 federal grant. State Rep. David Sullivan chairs the group. One indicator of “the importance of these protective services,” Sullivan said, was that elderly abuse prevention funding was not targeted in the state's midyear budget cuts. He stressed the need for agencies to intervene and prevent abuse. The state’s goal in providing the funding, Sullivan said, is to help elderly people “live without fear in the least restrictive environment possible.”
Each of the police chiefs attending were given green pads for their officers, with state statutes listed for various felony assault crimes against elderly persons and for mistreatment. Resource phone numbers were also included: Bristol Elder Services, Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., 508-675-2101; state Elder Abuse Hotline, 24 hours, 1-800-922-2275.
