questions & answers

Question: I am 80 years old. An office of the law hit my car and then tried to blame it on me, He lost it and screamed at me, called me names and I consider that Elder Abuse. Am I right? He was very mean and I had done nothing to deserve being treated that was Thank you

Answer:

Elder abuse is an umbrella term referring to any knowing, intentional, or negligent act by a caregiver or any other person that causes harm or a serious risk of harm to a vulnerable adult. While, a "vulnerable adult" means an individual who is eighteen years of age or older and who is unable to protect himself from abuse, neglect or exploitation by others because of a mental or physical impairment. Elder abuse can take the form of physical, sexual, or emotional abuse, financial or material exploitation, neglect, self-neglect or abandonment. It might be physical violence, isolation or a caregiver’s neglect. It could be identity theft, or the theft or embezzlement of a senior’s property. (Arizona Revised Statutes (A.R.S), Title 13, Family Offenses, §13-3623, Child or Vulnerable Adult Abuse; Classification; Exception; Definitions.  Arizona Revised Statutes (A.R.S.), Title 46, Adult Protective Services, beginning at §46-451.) 

Emotional or psychological abuse is just one form of elder abuse and can occur when someone speaks to an older person in a way that causes emotional pain or distress. Verbal forms of this type of abuse include intimidating the person through yelling or threats, humiliation and/or ridicule, habitual blaming or scape-goating. Nonverbal forms of emotional abuse include ignoring the elderly person, isolating the person from friends or activities, or terrorizing/menacing the older person. Signs of such psychological abuse include unexplained withdrawal from normal activities, a sudden change in alertness, and unusual depression.

Further information related to elder abuse can be obtained from the following agencies, directories and web resources:

Adult Protective Services 1990 W. Camelback Suite 302 Phoenix, AZ 85015 (602) 255-0996

Abuse Hotline: 1-877-767-2385 

Arizona Attorney General’s Office 1275 W. Washington St. Phoenix, AZ 85007 (602) 542-2124 You can order the Senior Citizen’s Protection Manual, produced by the Arizona Attorney General’s Office. For a free copy of this guide, call (602) 542-2123 or (866) 358-6661 (outside Maricopa County)

Arizona Senior Citizens Law Project 1818 S. 16th Ave. Phoenix, AZ 85034 (602) 252-6710

Department of Economic Security Aging and Adult Administration 1789 W. Jefferson Site Code 950A Phoenix, AZ 85007 (602) 542-4446

Southern Arizona Legal Aid, Inc. and the Arizona Supreme Court Elder Law Hotline: Providing Free Legal Advice and Information to Arizona Seniors.  1-800-231-5441

Tucson Local Law Enforcement: Including the Police and Sherriff’s Elder Abuse Task Force, 520-791-5809

Pima Council on Aging Information, Elder rights and Benefits Long-term Care Ombudsman Legal Services Referrals, Budgeting Assistance Program 8467 E. Broadway Tucson, 85710 PCOA HELPLINE: (520) 790-7262