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The National Council of Aging (NCOA) estimates that nearly 5 million senior citizens are abused each year in the United States. Sixty percent of the time, those who abuse seniors are family members.

NCOA defines elder abuse as physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional abuse, confinement, passive neglect, willful deprivation, and financial exploitation.

• Physical abuse means inflicting physical pain or injury upon an older adult.
• Sexual abuse means touching, fondling, intercourse, or any other sexual activity with an older adult when the older adult is unable to understand, unwilling to consent, threatened, or physically forced.
• Emotional abuse means verbal assaults, threats of abuse, harassment, or intimidation.
• Confinement means restraining or isolating an older adult, other than for medical reasons.
• Passive neglect is a caregiver’s failure to provide an older adult with life’s necessities, including, but not limited to, food, clothing, shelter, or medical care.
• Willful deprivation means denying an older adult medication, medical care, shelter, food, a therapeutic device, or other physical assistance and exposing that person to the risk of physical, mental, or emotional harm—except when the older, competent adult has expressed a desire to go without such care.

The Florida Department of Elder Affairs (FDEA) is charged with the responsibility of overseeing the safety of Florida’s seniors. FDEA does this by supporting programs and services that protect seniors through the Elder Abuse Prevention Program. The program is funded through Title VII of the Older Americans Act and is administered through contracts with area agencies on aging and local service providers. Resources are provided to assist in the effort of protecting seniors. These resources are available through the FDEA’s website: http://elderaffairs.state.fl.us/doea/abuse_prevention.php

“Everyone should be alert to the signs of elder abuse,” said Fort Myers Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer Randall Spivey of Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A. “We are providing some helpful information here on some of the signs of elder abuse and where to go to report abuse.”

NCOA signs of elder abuse:

• Physical abuse, neglect, or mistreatment: Bruises, pressure marks, broken bones, abrasions, burns
• Emotional abuse: Unexplained withdrawal from normal activities, a sudden change in alertness, or unusual depression; strained or tense relationships; frequent arguments between the caregiver and the older adult
• Neglect: Bedsores, unattended medical needs, poor hygiene, unusual weight loss
• Verbal or emotional abuse: Belittling, threats, or other uses of power and control by individuals

How to report elder abuse:

• By Phone:Call the Florida Abuse Hotline at 1-800-96-ABUSE (1-800-962-2873). Press 1 to report suspected abuse, neglect or exploitation of the elderly or a vulnerable adult. This toll free number is available 24/7.
• TDD (Telephone Device for the Deaf):1-800-453-5145
• By Fax:To make a report via fax, please send a detailed written report with your name and contact telephone to 1-800-914-0004. Download the Florida Abuse Hotline's fax reporting form (DCF).

“Our seniors need to be protected. If you or your loved one has been injured by another person or facility, please contact our legal team. There are no costs or attorney fees unless we make a monetary recovery for you,” said Attorney Spivey.

Florida Nursing Home Negligence Attorney,Randall L. Spivey is a Board Certified Civil Trial Attorney – the highest recognition for competence bestowed by the Florida Bar and a distinction earned by just one (1%)percent of Florida attorneys. He has handled over 2,000 personal injury and wrongful death cases throughout Florida. For a free and confidential consultation to discuss your legal rights, contact the Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A., in Lee County at  239. 337.7483 or toll free at 1.888.477.4839, or by email to Randall@SpiveyLaw.com.  Visit SpiveyLaw.com  for more information. You can contact Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A. in Charlotte County at 941.764.7748 and in Collier County 239.793.7748.