Do you suspect that someone you know and love is being abused?
Do you know what signs to look for?

• seems depressed, withdrawn, isolated?
• never accepts invitations to spend time away from their family or caregiver?
• seems afraid to make their own decisions.
• seems to be hiding something about a caregiver?
• never has any spending money?
• puts off going to the doctor?
• seems have have too many household accidents?

• Neglect: The withholding of food, heat, other care; failure of a caregiver to follow through on medical or safety needs; missing medical appointments or serious medical conditions that go unreported.
• Abusing Dependencies: Creating long waits for food, toilet needs or other care; telling the person how lucky he or she is to have their help, and withholding needs to make this point.
• Threats: Making and/or carrying out physical and emotional threats; using the threat of institutionalization, loss of one's home; alienation of loved ones and friends.
• Isolation: Control of a person's time; limiting contact with friends and family and medical or other care resources.
• Emotional Abuse: Put downs, mind games, ridicule. Using words to frighten; hiding necessary items such as a cane or medicine as a way to gain power and control
• Exploitation: taking control over finances without permission; abusing power of attorney; pressuring for the transfer of property or other assets.
• Sexual Abuse: Being rough with intimate body parts; forcing sex without consent; taking sexual advantage of the mental or physical limitations of others.
  Every day, older Vermonters are threatened, neglected and hurt - all forms of elder abuse. Make today different. If you know someone who is being neglected, exploited or abused, report it to Adult Protective Services at 1-800-564-1612. For information about services or referrals, call the Senior HelpLine at 1-800-642-5119.
• Abuse is about power and control: Victims of elder abuse often fear the ramifications of revealing information about their abuser - most often a family member - more than the abusive situation. That's why it's estimated that only one in 14 domestic elder abuse situations gets reported. Adult children are the most frequent abusers of the elderly, which makes non-offending family members and caregivers vital in exposing this often hidden problem.