Keep an Eye Out for Elder Abuse

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The AARP state office is urging Arkansans to keep an eye out for elder abuse, which includes physical abuse, financial exploitation and self-neglect. Abuse may involve an intentional attempt to inflict suffering, or it could occur unintentionally due to infirmity, laziness or inadequate know-how on the part of the person responsible.

Elder abuse costs the nation $5.3 billion in annual health expenditures, while financial abuse costs older Americans more than $2.6 billion dollars annually, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The Adult Protective Services (APS) division of the Arkansas Department of Human Services investigated 3,769 complaints of maltreatment, abuse or exploitation last year.

To report elder abuse, call the APS hotline at 800-482-8049.