Aging Commission of the Mid-South

Fighting Elder Abuse

One out of every 10 older Americans experience some form of elder abuse. But TN has stiffer punishments in place now for those convicted of elder abuse and caring resources like the Aging Commission and Crime Victims & Rape Crisis Center who can help.

“Many times, victims of elder abuse are trapped in situations where they cannot access the courts directly—they may be dependent on their abuser for basic life needs or they have a physical disability or mobility limitations that prevent them from leaving the house.  This new law expands the type of people who can seek an order of protection on behalf of those victims.  Now people like the CREAVVA advocates at the Aging Commission or an attorney at the Community Legal Center can help increase elder abuse victims’ access to safety and justice,” said Kim Daugherty with the Aging Commission of the Mid-South.

The Elderly and Vulnerable Adult Protection Act of 2019 will also change the classification of the most extreme forms of elder abuse from a class C to a class B felony and also expands who can seek a protection order for an abuse victim. WMC Action News 5 reports one in 14 cases are ever reported. "It's really shocking when you think about that there are more people out there that we just don't know about," said Daugherty.

If you suspect abuse, you can report elder abuse by calling: 1-888-APS-TENN (277-8366) or https://reportadultabuse.dhs.tn.gov/ .

For other services for seniors or adults with disabilities, call 901-222-4111.