Recognizing and Reporting Elder Abuse in Kansas City

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, every year, hundreds of thousands of U.S. adults who are over the age of 60 are abused, neglected, or taken advantage of financially. Many are abused in their own homes; others are abused while living with family members or in residential facilities. The abuse often goes unreported because the person may feel ashamed, fear backlash from reporting the abuse, or just be unable to communicate effectively due to Alzheimer’s or other form of dementia.

Here’s where you can help. Watch for warning signs if you know someone who could be a potential target. While watching for clues, keep in mind that elder abuse can go beyond the physical. It can also include emotional abuse, neglect, sexual abuse, financial abuse, or abandonment.

Here are some possible warning signs of elder abuse or neglect:

Of course, not everyone will exhibit all of these warning signs. But if you notice any of them and believe you’re seeing indications of possible elder abuse, it’s important to report the abuse as soon as possible to prevent any further damage to the victim’s health or well-being.

Here are the phone numbers for Kansas:

Here’s the number for Missouri: