Elderly Protective Services
If you know someone age 60 or
older who is being abused or neglected by others or their own actions, call us at 1(800) 673-4673, (504) 832-0684, 24 hours a day. All calls are strictly confidential.
An elderly blind man in the New Orleans area discovered that a trusted
long-time friend, who wrote checks to pay his bills, was stealing his
money.
A senior with health problems lived in squalor with her son, who also
was ill. Neither could take care of themselves, and the elderly woman
was not eating well or receiving medical care.
Another elderly man in our area was being financially exploited by his daughters, who blamed each other for taking advantage.
In each of these heart-breaking situations, the seniors weren’t alone.
Volunteers of America’s Elderly Protective Services (EPS) stepped in to
help. Elderly Prortective Services works to prevent, remedy, halt or hinder abuse and neglect
against seniors in 11 south Louisiana parishes, including metro New
Orleans and Baton Rouge.
How does the program work? Program Supervisor Gertrude Estell and five
staff members receive about 80 reports of possible abuse and neglect
each month—primarily from law enforcement, medical personnel or family members. They investigate each case,
determine if abuse or neglect is occurring and what remedy needs to be
enacted to help the senior. Then they take action.
The numbers of elderly in this kind of trouble are alarming. In June, 2011, for example, Elderly Protective Services had 119 active cases.
Often, Elderly Protective Services calls in law enforcement. After investigating the situation
with the blind man, our staff found evidence that his friend was
stealing and they turned the information over to the district attorney. Elderly Protective Services resolves other problems with common-sense intervention. The elderly
sick woman was treated at the hospital, then placed in a
nursing home where she is healthier, more alert and able to participate
in activities.
Cases involving family can be complicated, as the situation in which the daughters were blaming each
other for abusing their father shows. Family members with grudges often
accuse each other of hurting elderly relatives. In this case, EPS called
law enforcement who investigated and brought appropriate charges
against the daughters. The case is awaiting trial.
Seniors suffer four main types of abuse—financial exploitation,
physical/sexual abuse, neglect by the caregiver or self-neglect and
psychological/emotional abuse. Each kind of abuse can have devastating
effects on a senior’s health and well-being.
Elderly Protective Services works toward its goals of remedying abuse and neglect while promoting the highest possible degree of personal freedom, dignity and self-determination for the senior.
Volunteers of America is committed to helping those who have nowhere
else to turn. Elderly victims of abuse or neglect are among the most
helpless of these, and EPS is honored to be their advocates.