By: Wendy Bruemmer-MO Dept. of Health & Senior Services
Wear purple on June 15, 2020, World Eder Abuse Awareness Day, in support of the worldwide effort to prevent elder abuse as a public health and human rights issue. The color purple was adopted as the symbol to raise awareness of elder abuse and the effects of abuse, neglect, bullying, and exploitation in later life. No community is immune from the mistreatment of older adults. In Missouri, during fiscal year 2019, the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) received and investigated 39,144 reports of abuse, neglect, bullying, and exploitation involving seniors and adults with disabilities living in the community and in long-term care facilities. That amounts to 107 reports every day.
We are currently in the midst of unprecedented and stressful times, which may lead to increased adult abuse, neglect, or financial exploitation. The Adult Abuse and Neglect Hotline has remained operational throughout the COVID-19 crisis and DHSS encourages everyone to continue reporting suspected abuse, neglect, financial exploitation, and bullying of seniors and adults with disabilities during the pandemic.
DHSS also proudly announces the integration of a new online reporting system to ensure all concerns are reported quickly. The new Adult Abuse and Neglect Hotline online reporting system allows for secure electronic submission of adult abuse, neglect and exploitation report information, from mandated reporters and public citizens into a secure, encrypted database available 24/7 on a web-based platform as an alternative to calling the Adult Abuse and Neglect Hotline, which is operational from 7 a.m. until midnight, seven days a week, 365 days a year.
During these times of social distancing, it is vital that we stay connected and continue checking in on our older friends and loved ones through phone calls, video chats, emails, and other available outlets. If you suspect abuse, neglect or financial exploitation of the elderly or an adult with a disability call the Adult Abuse Hotline at (800) 392-0210 or visit www.health.mo.gov/abuse/ to report online.
If you have any questions regarding Adult Abuse or online reporting, please reach out to DHSS at 573-751-2413 or DSDSOfficeofConstituentServices@health.mo.gov.
Comments 12
Lisa
Need to speak with you or someone regarding abuse
Stephanie Patrick
Here is the Elder Abuse and Neglect hotline number 1 (800) 392-0210 so that you can call as soon as you feel ready. Aging Ahead is always here as a resource and if you want to reach out to us, we are available at (636) 207-0847, just ask for a Community Options Specialist.
Robert Maddox
Please call I need help with my wife being abused at a nursing home in Rolla Mo. Robert Maddox
Stephanie Patrick
One of our Community Options Specialists emailed you yesterday and here the number for DHSS abuse and neglect hotline is 1-800-392-0210.
Gail Kelley
I have a older lady I been helping for about 5 yrs now. I call the police, SSI, I report it to the elder hot line 3 or 4 time. It a man that married with kids and tricking this lady out of her money every month. I go over to help her and I found her drunk 3 or 4 times. Call the ambulance for her, her alcohol limit was 200. I don’t want to go over there stick my key in the door and she will be dead. He curse her out tell her that her vaginal or pussy ain’t that good. But he Take her money every month. She had $140,000.00 in her met life policy and gave it all to him. He talk her out of everything, her light and gas are off right now. She text him and told him that ask him to get her a pizza cause she was hungry he didn’t do it. I don’t know what else to do. She not even kin to me and I’m pissed right now. I know his name, number and address. He need to give her money back. I need help asap.
Stephanie Patrick
Our Community Options Specialist said you will need to contact DHSS abuse and neglect hotline, 800-392-0210, for this situation.
MaryAnn Mcgee
I have a 96 year old neighbor I have been helping for 3 years. She accused me of stealing recently and I quit helping her. She has no family except a cousin in Az. This lady cannot carry out her daily activities at all. No personal chores ,house has not been cleaned for years and is infested with roaches of all sizes. She is a hoarder, cannot hear and has mac in one eye. Her only source for making meals is a micro. She has meals on wheels but she gives the food away. She looses her blood pressure and other medicine. Sh has hundreds of dollars in a checking account and she is also responsible for paying her bills (some twice.) . She needs nursing home care but she will not go leave her stuff. Her Dr has suggested she should go to a facility but he cannot make her go.She has 3 strokes so her reasoning power is unreliable. Any suggestions?
Stephanie Patrick
Please reference the DHSS Hotline, where you can report the situation. This can be done anonymously, or you can provide your information. It is not shared with the person. The number is 1/800-392-0210 or online https://health.mo.gov/safety/abuse/
If you have any further questions for Aging Ahead you can contact a Community Options Specialist at 636-207-0847.
Thomas Riggs
I called your adult abuse line or five times they sent one person in this nursing home and October 14 my wife died and I hope nobody else will ever need it thank you
Stephanie Patrick
Someone from our Agency should have reached out to personally.
Katherine Ruff
I recently learned that my younger sister went to Mass and brought our half sister to Missouri without any knowledge of mine. Has kept it a guarded secret and she lives 7 miles from me and we have been in contact. I learned of it online when my half sisters only child passed away. My half sister is 27 yrs older than I and not from this country. Her property in Worcester, Mass was sold and she was said to have dementia. She has been isolated and financial exploited, I fear. My younger sister is mentally ill and has exploited family before. I reported my fears to APS, I called to find out about my report and was spoke to with an uncaring, rude APS worker. They spoke to me as if i I was the perpetrator.
I want to see my half sister, she’s 84 yrs old and I have a right to see her and my younger sister has isolated her from me for financial gain. Do I need an attorney?
Stephanie Patrick
You can call Legal Services of Eastern MO or Catholic Charities Legal Ministry
https://lsem.org/senior-law-program/
https://sfcsstl.org/locations/clam/