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Contact:
Katie Everist
Communications
651-431-5605
kathryn.everist@state.mn.us
Public awareness campaign
launched on World Elder Abuse Awareness Day
Starting this summer, Minnesotans will be reminded that they
could make the difference in stopping maltreatment of vulnerable adults.
Human Services Commissioner Emily Piper this week introduced
a public awareness campaign promoting the Minnesota Adult Abuse Reporting
Center, the state's single toll-free hotline to report suspected maltreatment
of vulnerable adults, including older adults and individuals with disabilities.
The new center consolidates 169 county phone numbers into one toll-free number, 1-844-880-1574, that any Minnesotan can call 24 hours a day, seven days a week
to report abuse.
"This single statewide hotline serves as an important line of
defense against the abuse, neglect and financial exploitation of some of our
most vulnerable neighbors, friends, and family members," said Piper. "I
encourage all Minnesotans who suspect abuse of vulnerable adults to use this
hotline."
The public awareness
campaign, "The Power of Could," publicizes the hotline by depicting signs of
possible maltreatment, prompting questions of whether the situation "could be
nothing" or "could be maltreatment," and highlighting how reporting abuse could
make a big difference for a vulnerable adult. Radio ads, videos, social media and
print materials will carry the message. Examples are on the Adult Protection resources page.
Piper made the
announcement Wednesday, June 15, at the annual World Elder Abuse Awareness
Conference at the University
of Minnesota Continuing Education Center in St. Paul and read a proclamation from Gov. Mark Dayton
declaring June 15 World Elder Abuse Awareness Day in Minnesota.
"Older adults and
people with disabilities are at a higher risk of abuse than the general adult
population, and maltreatment of these individuals is underreported," Piper said. "Data collected by the Minnesota Adult Abuse Reporting Center over time will help
focus future prevention efforts to improve safety and quality of life for
people with disabilities and older adults."
The Minnesota Adult
Abuse Reporting Center currently receives about 1,000 reports of suspected maltreatment
a week. It assesses reports for immediate risks, makes all necessary
referrals and promptly submits reports to the appropriate investigative agency.
Mandated reporters, including health care professionals and law enforcement,
can now also make reports at a single web location.
Many vulnerable adults are reluctant to report and, when
asked about it directly, may even deny that they have been harmed. Abuse can
occur anywhere, from a person's own home to a nursing home or another place
where they receive services or spend time. Maltreatment takes many forms, including caregiver neglect and
self-neglect, which are the most commonly reported forms of abuse in Minnesota.
The more than 40,000 cases of maltreatment reported in Minnesota
in 2015 also included financial exploitation and physical, sexual, emotional
and mental abuse.
Signs of abuse
Warning signs of
abuse can include bruises, black eyes, broken bones, burns or cuts, internal
injuries, infections, changes in mental functioning or behavior or injuries
that are unexplained or are not consistent with the explanation given. Signs of
neglect can include dehydration, weight loss, malnutrition, pressure sores,
poor hygiene, depression, repeated falls, incontinence and isolation.
Financial
exploitation can be indicated by bills going unpaid, individuals losing access
to their own money or being asked to sign unfamiliar documents, changes being
made in a will, transfer or sale of assets and missing personal property, such
as cash, checks, credit cards, jewelry and furniture.
More information is
available at mn.gov/dhs/adult-protection.
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