SAFETY AND SECURITY
Adult Protective Services and Elder Abuse Reporting
24 hour hotline 877.597-2331
Elder abuse and neglect happens far too often in Kentucky. Sadly, it is not always evident. The Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services has initiated a public awareness campaign to help seniors protect themselves and to teach the rest of us the warning signs of abuse and neglect.
If you believe that an elderly person is in imminent danger immediately call 911 or toll free (800) 752-6200 or (800) 752-6200. If the person is not in imminent danger but you are suspicious, watch the way the caregiver acts toward the elderly or disabled person.
Look for a pattern of threatening, harassing, blaming or making demeaning remarks to the person — or isolating the person from family members and friends. Watch for an obvious lack of helpfulness or indifference, aggression or anger toward the person. Listen for conflicting stories about the elderly or disabled person’s illnesses or injuries.
Learn to recognize the signs of self-neglect, caregiver neglect, physical abuse, emotional abuse and financial abuse.
Currently in Kentucky, there are Local Coordinating Councils on Elder Abuse established in every Area Development District. The councils’ goals are to:
- develop and build an effective communitywide system of prevention and intervention that is responsive to the need of victims, perpetrators, family members and formal or informal caretakers.
- identify and coordinate the roles and services of local agencies that work with elder abused, neglected or exploited victims and to investigate or prosecute elder abuse cases.
- monitor, evaluate, and promote the quality and effectiveness of services and protection in the community.
- promote a clear understanding of elder abuse, current laws, elder rights and resources available in the community.
- serve as a clearinghouse for information on elder issues.
Organized along regional or county lines, depending on the needs of each location, the local coordinating councils were formed under the joint leadership of the Area Agencies on Aging and local Adult Protective Services (APS) staff of the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services. Membership of each coordinating council includes APS staff, local law enforcement officers, judges, prosecutors, state police, bankers, care providers, long-term care ombudsmen and other advocates for the elderly.
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This article is featured on page 15 of the 2020 Senior Living Lexington
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