THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, May 8, 1996 TAG: 9605070159
SECTION: ISLE OF WIGHT CITIZEN PAGE: 02 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: Linda McNatt
LENGTH: Medium: 85 lines
Whoopi Goldberg refused to adorn the pretty dress she wore the night of the Academy Awards with any ribbons. But plenty of other Hollywood-types wore them.
Now, here's your chance.
The month of May is Adult Abuse Prevention Month, and the Isle of Wight County Department of Social Services in asking everybody in the county to wear a purple ribbon.
The ribbon would signify that you're aware that adult abuse and abuse of the disabled goes on and that you join millions of other Americans in knowing that it must be prevented.
Yep, folks, it happens right here in Isle of Wight.
I know it's hard to believe in this rural county where neighbors help neighbors and elderly citizens mostly enjoy a place of special prominence and respect. But it happens.
Jackie King, who supervises adult services here, said that more than 50 complaints were filed with her agency last year. In the first two quarters of this year, King said, 24 more incidents have been investigated. More than half of those investigations were found to involve legitimate concerns.
``Our workload is not light,'' she said. ``Our adult protection service load has jumped - really jumped - in the last few years.''
National statistics say that:
The reported incidents of elder abuse have increased dramatically over the past decade.
The National Center on Elder Abuse reports a 94 percent increase in the number of elder abuse reports received nationally, in domestic settings, during the five-year period 1986-91.
Statistics maintained by the Virginia Department of Social Services shows a 176 percent increase in reports made to adult protective services for the 10-year period 1985-95. This number includes reports of abuse in both domestic and institutional settings.
More than 10,000 reports of suspected abuse, neglect or exploitation were made to Virginia's adult protective services system in 1995.
Elder abuse is the domestic violence problem of the next century.
Abuse hurts individuals, families and societies.
Locally, Isle of Wight has two and a half social workers assigned to adult protection services. That's as many as the larger cities of Chesapeake and Suffolk.
That's because the county has an extremely high population of older and disabled citizens, King said. She praised the county Board of Supervisors for what they do to help the disabled and the elderly.
Each year, she said, this county government sets aside money to support an adult companion service. Companions go into homes and help with bathing, light housework, laundry, grocery shopping, anything that would make it possible for older citizens to continue staying at home rather than going into adult care facilities.
Later this month, Social Services will sponsor training at Smithfield High School for companions and nurse assistants. King said they are expecting about 100 people to attend.
Among other things, care providers will learn that some laws have changed recently. If sexual abuse is reported or suspected, for example, it must now be reported immediately to a law enforcement agency.
And, if you happen to be a care provider and suspect any kind of abuse, you must report it. If you don't, King said, and it is proven that you knew about it, you could get a stiff fine.
The term ``adult abuse'' includes several forms of mistreatment: physical abuse; psychological abuse; caregiver neglect; self-neglect; financial exploitation.
Those who attend the training session will learn how to report suspected abuse and what state law now has to say about it, King said.
``Of the complaints we get, many of them are self-neglect or neglect by others,'' she said. ``For example, if somebody unable to take care of themselves is left at home alone for extended periods of time, it can be considered abuse.''
If there's one appeal that King would like to make during this month set aside as Adult Abuse Prevention month, it's that anyone who suspects an elderly or disabled citizen is being abused in any way should report it.
All you have to do is call social services at 365-0880. Tell the receptionist what you're calling about. You can remain anonymous. They won't even ask your name.
And this month, just as a reminder to everyone that you care, wear a purple ribbon. by CNB