October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month
Domestic violence can happen to anyone regardless of age. Each year hundreds of thousands of older persons are abused, neglected and exploited. Domestic violence among older adults is a form of elder abuse and it can turn a home into a place of fear, hopelessness and desperation.
- What is elder abuse? In general, elder abuse refers to intentional or neglectful acts by a caregiver or trusted individual that lead to, or may lead to, harm of a vulnerable elder. Physical abuse; neglect; emotional or psychological abuse; verbal abuse and threats; financial abuse and exploitation; sexual abuse; and abandonment are considered forms of elder abuse.
- Why should you care about elder abuse? Because elder abuse is an under recognized problem with devastating and even life threatening consequences.
- How big is the problem? No one knows for certain because relatively few cases are identified. Research indicates that more than one in ten elders may experience some type of abuse, but only one in five cases or fewer are reported. This means that very few seniors who have been abused get the help they need. In the past year alone, MVES responded to 582 reports of elder abuse and neglect.
- Who is at risk? Elder abuse can occur anywhere in the home, in nursing homes, or other institutions. It affects seniors across all socio-economic groups, cultures, and races. Based on available information, women and older elders are more likely to be victimized. Dementia is a significant risk factor. Mental health and substance abuse issues of both abusers and victims are risk factors. Isolation can also contribute to risk.
- What should I do if I suspect elder abuse? Report your concerns. Remember: Most cases of elder abuse go undetected. Dont assume that someone has already reported a suspicious situation.
- How do I make an elder abuse report? To report suspected abuse in the community, contact your local adult protective services agency. Mystic Valley Elder Services (MVES) is the adult protective service agency for the communities of Everett, Malden, Medford, Melrose, North Reading, Reading, Stoneham, and Wakefield, Massachusetts. To report elder abuse in one of these eight communities, call MVES at 781-324-7705 or after hours call the Massachusetts Elder Abuse Hotline at 1-800-922-2275. If you or someone you know is in a life threatening situation or immediate danger, contact emergency 911 or the local police or sheriff.
Source for information in this issue of Beacon Bits was from National Center on Elder Abuse Fact Sheet Why Should I Care About Elder Abuse? 3/3/2010.
Vote NO on 1, 2, 3 for a Healthy MA
On November 2, Massachusetts voters will be asked to cast their ballots on a number of important issues and candidates. There are three (3) ballot questions before the electorate this fall. Question 1 asks if Massachusetts voters want to roll back the sales tax on alcoholic beverages. Question 2 asks us to repeal the affordable housing law commonly referred to as Chapter 40-B. Question 3, if enacted, would roll back the current sales tax rate of 6.25% to 3%.
I strongly encourage all registered voters in Massachusetts to go to the polls on November 2 and cast your vote. And, before you go to the polls, educate yourself about the purpose and expected outcomes of the ballot initiatives if enacted. There is a lot of information circulating about the ballot questions. I would recommend you look beyond the 30 second media clips. For example, review the Massachusetts Secretary of State's Voter Information Guide sent to all registered voters in late September for the pros and cons of each ballot question as prepared by supporters and opponents.
Additionally, the MVES Board of Directors, volunteers representing all eight area communities served by MVES, have voted to oppose all three ballot questions as not in the best interest of older people, people with disabilities and residents of area communities. We strongly recommend a NO VOTE on all three ballot questions.
Other individuals and groups who might generally be considered anti-tax advocates have also gone on record as being opposed to the sales tax roll back questions. The Mass Taxpayers Foundation, which said this was the worst time to cut sales revenues in half---and now it is the Associated Industries of Massachusetts, which called Question 3 "an extreme measure that would irreparably harm the Massachusetts economy by doubling the projected state budget deficit." In addition, all the major gubernatorial candidates have stated that a roll back of the sales tax to 3% would cause significant harm to the fragile Massachusetts economy.
It is clear to all of us at MVES and to a broad coalition of individuals, advocacy groups, business associations and government officials, that rolling back the sales tax in the magnitude required by the ballot initiatives would be bad for Massachusetts residents. We urge you to VOTE NO on all three ballot questions.
Sincerely,
Daniel O'Leary
Executive Director
