World Elder Abuse Awareness

Elders are entitled to the same safety and protection as everyone else. Rhode Island law protects older adults — anyone over 60 — from abuse, neglect, and exploitation. But the crime of elder abuse continues to occur and often goes unreported.

In Rhode Island there is a Haven for Elders in Need AARP - RHODE ISLAND by CATHERINE TAYLOR

Elder abuse can include acts of physical, sexual, psychological and emotional abuse, as well as financial exploitation, neglect and withholding of basic needs. It is common for victims to experience more than one form of abuse.

The Saint Elizabeth Haven for Elder Justice is committed to addressing this issue throughout the state.

The Haven’s primary focus is to assist elder victims of abuse which often means providing temporary shelter so they have a safe place to stay. From there, the Elder Justice Advocate works with the individual to develop a safety plan and identify resources.

The Advocate will also help connect the elder to legal assistance and, ultimately, with planning their safe transition back into the community.

For elder abuse victims who are not able to leave their homes, the advocate will provide support and safety planning as well as connect the individual to legal resources and other services.

Saint Elizabeth Haven collaborates with community members to provide education and training on recognizing the signs of elder abuse and reporting them in accordance with RI law. Members of law enforcement and social service organizations have been the main participants but elders, their family members and other professionals were also included.

Advocacy is also an important role for the Haven, addressing gaps in services for elders in both law and public policy. The Haven operates with funding through the RI Office of Healthy Aging (OHA), Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) and a three-year grant from the Department of Justice, (DOJ).

Through the DOJ grant, the Rhode Island Coalition for Elder Justice was created. The Coalition consists of a network of community partners working together to keep elders safe. It includes victim service agencies, senior service agencies, community groups, advocacy groups and law enforcement as well as state and federal agencies.

Their focus is strengthening and enhancing the elder abuse service system while ensuring the prosecution of the perpetrators of this crime.

The Saint Elizabeth Haven for Elder Justice is a program of Saint Elizabeth Community. For more information, please visit stelizabethcommunity.org/haven.

RI law requires those who suspect a Rhode Island resident is a victim of any form of elder abuse to report to the RI Office of Healthy Aging (OHA) Adult Protective Services Unit online at oha.ri.gov or by calling OHA at 401462-0555. Reports can be made 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. All calls are confidential.