The abuse, exploitation
and neglect of our elderly is a disgrace. As the
average age of our population continues to rise,
the "dirty little secret" of elder
abuse has quietly become a national epidemic.
There are almost one million people in Indiana aged
65 and over, and that number is growing. Each
year, more than 40,000 cases of elder abuse and
neglect occur in Indiana, and it is estimated that only 1 in 14 cases
are reported. It is the responsibility of the
State, the judicial system, law enforcement,
health care providers, social service agencies, and our communities to
protect the health and welfare of this vulnerable
group.
Elder abuse happens
everywhere; in poor, middle class, and upper
income households; in cities, suburbs, and rural
areas. It is a problem that has no demographic
boundaries.
It is estimated that 80%
of the care provided for the elderly is given by
family members. Ironically, the abuser is often a
family member who takes on the responsibility of
care with the best of intentions, but due to the
inevitable financial or emotional stress of the
situation, loses control. National studies show
that before the first abusive act, the caregiver
typically has been caring for the elderly for 9
years, often with very little recognition or
help. Sadly, because elderly victims of abuse
live with and are dependent upon their abusers,
they often suffer in silence. They may be
reluctant to seek help because they fear loss of
family ties or independence, or they may simply
not know about the services available to them
through Adult Protective Services.
All senior citizens,
caretakers, and children who have aging parents,
must be aware of the help that is available as
well as the options they have.
In 1985, Adult
Protective Services Units were established
throughout Indiana to investigate reports of
abuse, neglect, or exploitation, and to assist in
obtaining protective services for endangered
adults. An "endangered adult" is
defined by Indiana statute as any individual over
18 years of age, who is incapable by reason of
mental infirmity or other incapacity of either
caring for themselves or managing their property,
and is harmed or threatened with harm as a result
of neglect, battery, or exploitation.
Indiana Adult Protective Services, under
the umbrella of the Family and Social Services Administration (FSSA), provides
an Investigator for each of 15 Units around the state. Unit 14 includes
Clark, Floyd, Harrison, and Scott Counties, with Clark County serving
as the "hub" county. The Investigator assigned to Unit
14 is Patricia Ballard. Her office is located in the Office of the
Clark County Prosecuting Attorney in the West Wing of the County Government Building, located at 501 East Court Avenue, Jeffersonville, IN 47130. FSSA has advised that Indiana's Adult Protective Services program offers unique advantages in its association with Prosecuting Attorneys and the criminal justice system, and is the only elder abuse program in the country not run from a state level social service agency.
Unfortunately, very
little funding has been made available to this
very important agency. It is our hope that the Indiana Legislature will see fit to
dramatically increase the resources and manpower
of Investigators who have for too long been
"overworked and underpaid." In any
event, the Clark County Prosecuting Attorney will
continue to supplement the budget needs of Unit
14 because of the essential services provided to
the victims of elder abuse in Clark County.
Abuse of the elderly
cannot be considered someone else's problem. By
"minding our own business," the elderly
will continue to suffer. We must all play a part.
Growing old should not mean that we will become
victims of abuse. Please report elder abuse. The
Elder Abuse Hotline is: 1-800-992-6978.
Abuse and neglect seldom
happen overnight, it happens over time. Unless we
take the time to notice, it will continue, and
unless we take the time to get involved, it will
get worse.
Available to you in the
Clark County Prosecutor's Office are two Adult
Protective Service Investigators, victim
assistance counselors trained in elderly
investigations, and a staff of Deputy Prosecuting
Attorneys, all highly qualified with a wealth of
experience working with those who have had the
unfortunate experience of becoming a victim.
Please do not hesitate
to call us at 812-285-6364. Our office stands ready to assist you
in any way, whether it be an answer to a
question, investigating a potentially abused
relative, friend or neighbor, or assisting you,
should you become a victim.
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