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The Tennessee Department of Human Services (TDHS) and Tennessee Commission on Aging and Disability (TCAD) recently recognized June 15 as World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD). The agencies brought awareness to the signs of abuse, methods to report abuse, and resources for caretakers. In recent years, the department’s Adult Protective Services (APS) program has led efforts to strengthen coordination among partners like the various sister state agencies, state councils and commissions, law enforcement and legal authorities along with other organizations to combat elder abuse.

The Adult Protective Services (APS) program investigates allegations of the neglect (including self-neglect), abuse and financial exploitation (specifically funds paid by a governmental agency) of vulnerable adults. In 2016, APS led the creation of the Coordinated Community Response Team with 20 other government and non-profit agencies that play a role in responding to the abuse of vulnerable adults.  The goal was to improve communications, streamline investigations and reduce the number of abusive unlicensed facilities. This year APS, in partnership with Tennessee State University, is hosting its annual CARES Conference to bring together service providers dedicated to improving conditions for older and vulnerable Tennesseans.

“Ensuring the well-being of vulnerable Tennesseans is a constant priority for our department, which our Adult Protective Services team works tirelessly to do,” said Clarence H. Carter, TDHS Commissioner. “Their work and the protection of older and vulnerable Tennesseans is incumbent upon the contributions of all of us, which is why awareness of elder abuse is important, as well as support to help prevent it.”

Last year APS received more than twenty-one thousand reports of suspected abuse. Most of the reports involved neglect, including self-neglect, which occurs when the basic needs of a dependent adult aren’t being met. Neglect remains a concern for seniors across the state.

Neglect may be the unintentional result of a caregiver’s inability to provide the care an adult requires or due to the intentional failure of the caregiver to meet essential needs. Self-Neglect occurs when a dependent adult is unable to care for him/herself or obtain needed care. The impairments and in some cases deterioration can occur to the point that the adult’s life may be at risk. Common signs of this problem include:

• Unusual weight loss, malnutrition and dehydration.
• Untreated physical problems such as bed sores.
• Unsanitary living conditions, dirt, bugs, soiled bedding, and clothes.
• Being left unbathed.
• Unsuitable clothing or covering for the weather.
• Unsafe living conditions (no heat or running water, faulty electrical wiring, and other fire hazards).

Individuals can report suspected abuse at www.reportadultabuse.dhs.tn.gov or by calling 1-888-APS-TENN (1-888-277-8366) toll free.

“Today and every day we renew our commitment to combat and raise awareness of elder abuse so that all older adults are able to thrive,” said TCAD Executive Director James Dunn. “Combating elder abuse begins with each of us, and as mandatory reporters, we will never shy away from ensuring every Tennessean–no matter their age–can live their life with dignity and respect.”

The Collaborative Response to Elder and Vulnerable Adult Abuse (CREVAA) is a Victims of Crime Act grant managed by TCAD and run through Area Agencies on Aging and Disability (AAADs) and Human Resource Agencies (HRAs) across the state. The CREVAA program provides emergency services and supports to older and vulnerable adult victims of crime in all 95 counties in Tennessee. For further information on CREVAA, contact the AAAD/HRA in your area: 1-866-836-6678.

The International Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse and the World Health Organization established WEAAD in 2006 to raise awareness about the problem.

Learn more about the Tennessee Department of Human Services at www.tn.gov/humanservices.