Oregon senior, disabled abuse cases on the rise
The third annual Adult Abuse Prevention and Investigations report is now available. The 2014 report combines abuse information about older adults, adults with all types of disabilities and children in licensed treatment settings.
The report is from the Oregon Office of Adult Abuse Prevention and Investigations (OAAPI), a shared service between the Oregon Department of Human Services and the Oregon Health Authority.
The report’s main emphasis is to make recommendations to improve the safety and protection of vulnerable people. The team creating the report focused on three main questions:
* How can Oregon better protect abuse victim?
* How can Oregon keep abusers out of the system?
* How can Oregon prevent harm, reduce risk and ensure quality care in licensed long-term care settings?
According to the report, OAAPI as well as county and local offices received more than 38,000 reports of possible abuse or neglect of vulnerable Oregonians. This is a 10 percent increase in the number of investigations received in 2014 compared to 2013.
Financial exploitation and neglect represented the most common type of abuse. This was also true in 2013.
“These numbers reflect the trend of our aging population,” Marie Cervantes OAAPI Director, said. “More than 50,000 Oregon baby boomers have turned 65 each year since 2010 and are living longer lives.”
“Adult protective services anticipate seeing ongoing increases over the next few years as Oregonians age and access services. It is important to know this (so that) as we build service delivery systems we simultaneously build appropriate safety and adult protection systems so we truly invest in the people we serve,” she said.
Here is more information from the report:
* It was determined that 4,208 people were abused, some with multiple abuses or multiple incidents;
* Of the 9,198 allegations investigated of possible abuse of older adults and people with physical disabilities, 2,538 adults were determined to have been abused.
* Of the 1,442 allegations investigated of possible abuse for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, 477 adults were determined to have been abused.
* Of the 216 allegations of possible abuse for children in licensed children’s settings, 51 children were determined to have been abused.
* Of the 482 allegations for adults in mental health treatment, 142 adults were determined to have been abused.
* Of the 2,483 allegations of possible self-neglect assessed, 540 adults were determined to be self?neglecting.
* In licensed and certified facilities the accused person was more likely to be a direct care staff or other employee of the facility/program.
* In community, non?licensed settings, the accused person was more likely to be a family member or intimate partner of the victim.
Based on the findings of these investigations, steps were taken to hold perpetrators responsible for their actions and protective services were provided to victims to ensure their safety and health, according to the report.
The report also included recommendations from the Adult Safety and Protection Team that have been completed, including:
* A statewide 1-800 number called the SAFE line is up and running for people to report suspected abuse.
* An online, interactive abuse recognition and reporting training was launched for providers.
* Enhanced relationship and communications with law enforcement, which has resulted in Adult Abuse Multi-Disciplinary Teams in 32 counties; increased elder abuse trainings at the police academy and conferences.
The 2014 annual report is available online. To read the full report: http://www.oregon.gov/dhs/spwpd/adult-abuse/Pages/data.aspx .
To learn more online about reporting abuse and neglect:
http://www.oregon.gov/dhs/abuse/Pages/index.aspx .
To report suspected abuse: SAFE line: Call 1-555-503-SAFE (7233). This toll-free number uses a zip code driven menu to put you in contact with a local office representative who can answer your questions and follow up on your concerns.
