Alabama is recognizing World Elder Abuse Awareness Day. Every year thousands of elderly and disabled adults are abused in the state.
Nancy Buckner is the commissioner of the Alabama Department of Human Resources. She said there a variety of warning signs that someone is being abused.
“Increased fear or anxiety, isolation from friends or family, withdrawal from normal activities, unusual changes in behavior, unsanitary living conditions, poor hygiene, and unusual or sudden changes in financial spending patterns,” she said.
Buckner said over 10,500 reports of elder abuse were reported last year in Alabama.
“Last year we received about 10,566 reports of it and we think that is underreported like it is across the nation. Those reports involve 10,821 vulnerable adults,” Buckner said.
Any suspected abuse of an elderly or disabled person should be reported to the Adult Abuse Hotline.
Report suspected elder abuse by calling the Adult Abuse Hotline at 1-800-458-7214, emailing aps@dhr.alabama.gov or contacting a local DHR county office. All reports are confidential and may be made anonymously.