Standing Against Elder Abuse in Our Communities

Elder abuse is a serious issue that many older adults endure in silence. It can take several forms, including physical abuse, financial exploitation, abandonment, emotional abuse, sexual abuse, and neglect. These acts of mistreatment can occur in private homes, care facilities, or public setting, and often go unreported. Pharmacists can help identify possible signs of elder abuse during routine interactions in the pharmacy and connect community members with the appropriate resources. If you suspect abuse or if someone wishes to make a report, please call or encourage them to contact local law enforcement or the Department of Human Resources (DHR) Adult Protective Services Hotline at 1-800-458-7214 any time, any day of the week. Callers have the option to remain anonymous. For additional resources, the Alabama Department of Senior Services (ADSS) provides an Elder Abuse Protection Toolkit, which can be found at https://alabamaageline.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/abuse-prevention-toolkit.rev09.20.pdf.

You can read more about elder abuse at https://alabamaageline.gov/elder-abuse/ and https://www.apa.org/topics/aging-older-adults/elder-abuse#:~:text=%EE%80%80Older%20people%EE%80%81%20today