In 2011 the Orange County Adult Protective Services received 7,238 reports of adult abuse; 72% of the cases involved seniors 65 or older.

Elder Abuse is not just physical it includes financial, sexual and emotional abuse as well and mostly occurs within the family. It is due to this fact that experts believe that for every report filed there are 23 cases that are unreported.

Those suffering from dementia are usually the targets for most of the abuse. There was a case in Orange County where a daughter was asking her mother to pay her $500 everyday for “rent”. Her mother, who suffered from Alzheimer’s, was unaware that this was happening and with in a few weeks had no money left in any of her bank accounts.

How do you protect yourself and the ones you love? If your parent or loved one has a disability and a family member or nurse is living in the home, check in often to make sure no physical or emotional harm is being inflicted. You should also have someone outside of the home monitoring your loved ones financials. That way if anything looks suspicious you will know about it.

If you discover abuse of any kind, or if you are experiencing abuse REPORT IT!  The phone number to call is 1-888-436-3600. Stay safe and live happily.