Collier Senior Resources joins individuals, organizations and businesses across the nation to raise awareness about abuse during National Domestic Violence Awareness Month this October.

Research reveals that one in 10 adults over the age of 60 will experience some type of abuse, neglect and/or financial exploitation at the hands of someone on whom they depend for care, such as a spouse/partner, professional caregiver, adult child, loved one or friend.

“We all have seniors in our lives,” explains Senior Center Director Tatiana Fortune. “We want the community to know that Collier Senior Resources is dedicated to the health and wellbeing of all seniors in our community and that we are a safe place to seek support. We can help victims find the services they need here in Collier County.”

Elder abuse can take many forms – physical, emotional, sexual, psychological, financial – and often leaves senior victims with the horrible decision of whether or not to tell someone that they are being hurt, or continue tolerating abuse by someone they depend upon for care. This is especially difficult when it comes to abuse by adult children serving as caregivers.

Individuals witnessing or suspecting any of the following forms of abuse should contact their local domestic violence center and/or Sheriff’s Office for support:

• Physical injury
• Threatening words or actions that leave the senior feeling afraid (raising a hand, threatening to discontinue medication, removing assistive devices or halting care)
• Isolation from family and/or friends or confinement (restraining someone for reasons outside of medical concerns)
• Criticism, humiliation, naming calling and other forms of psychological abuse
• Neglect and abandonment (withdrawal of safety/shelter, food, water, clothing, personal hygiene and/or medical care)
• Misuse of financial or material possessions/assets (including withholding money, misuse of credit cards/bank accounts, changing wills/legal documents without permission)
• Sexual abuse (any unwanted sexual interactions)
• Cursing and other forms of verbal abuse

In case of emergency, please call 911. To help a senior in need, contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1.800.799.7233 or TTY 1.800.787.3224. In Collier County, please contact The Shelter for Abused Women & Children at 239.775.1101.

For more information on Collier Senior Resources, including programs and services offered at the Golden Gate Senior Center, please call 239.252.4541, or visit www.CollierSeniorResources.org.