Presbyterian Senior Care (HMO) and Presbyterian MediCare PPO | Summer 2022 | Your Story

2 Elder abuse: Know the facts Sadly, elder abuse is common in the United States. About one in 10 people ages 60 and older who live at home experience some kind of abuse. It can take place anywhere, and the abuser can be a spouse, an adult child, a caregiver, or a friend. Elder abuse can take many forms. It can be: Physical abuse. This includes hitting, pushing, and slapping. Restraining an older adult against their will is also abuse. Emotional abuse. Yelling at, threatening, or ignoring an older adult is emotional abuse. So is isolating them from friends and relatives. Neglect. This is the failure to meet an older adult’s basic needs, such as food, water, clothing, hygiene, and medical care. Financial abuse. This happens when money or belongings are taken from someone. It can include stealing Social Security benefits or using credit cards without permission. Abandonment. This is leaving the older adult alone without a plan for their care. Any older adult can be abused, but there are situations that make it more likely. For instance, people with disabilities are at higher risk, and so are people with memory problems or dementia. Also, abuse occurs more often to older adults who need help with basic activities, such as bathing, dressing, and taking medicine. Abuse is more likely to occur when: ● The caregiver is depressed ● The caregiver views their situation as a burden and without reward ● The caregiver abuses alcohol or drugs ● The caregiver and older adult are socially isolated ● The older adult was an abuser in the past ● There’s a history of domestic violence What can you do? If you’re being abused, the most important thing you can do is tell someone. That can be your doctor, a family member, or a trusted friend. Or you can call one of the hotlines at right. If you suspect someone else is being abused, try to talk to them alone. Let them know you’re worried about them. Continue to visit them to earn their trust and see how they’re doing. You can also report your concerns to one of these agencies: ● Eldercare Locator: 1-800-677-1116 ● National Adult Protective Services Association: (202) 370-6292 ● National Center on Elder Abuse: 1-855-500-3537 ● National Elder Fraud Hotline: 1-833-372-8311 Call 911 if you or someone else needs help right away. ● Open the test kit and follow the directions. Be sure to use the correct angle, placement, and movement of the swab when taking a sample Use the timer to make sure you read the results within the time frame given in the instructions. Reading them before or after may give you an incorrect result. Throw away the collection swab once you’re done. Never reuse swabs or other parts of the test. If you test positive: ● Let your doctor know ● Inform anyone you have spent time with in the two days before you had symptoms or took the test ● Take steps to avoid spreading it: The CDC recommends that you stay home or isolate yourself for 10 days and wear a mask when around others How to test yourself for COVID-19 If you have questions about your results, speak with your provider to understand what they mean. —Continued from front page

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