RICHMOND, Va. (WTVR) — Self-neglect is the most common form of abuse, neglect or exploitation of the elderly and disabled reported, according to numbers just released by the Virginia Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services.
Shawn Rozier, Assistant Director of Henrico County’s Social Services, said self-neglect is when “adults are losing the capability of meeting their day to day needs.”
In Richmond, Chesterfield, and Henrico, Adult Protective Services received more than 2,000 reports of abuse, neglect or exploitation between July 1, 2012 and June 30, 2013.
Nearly two-thirds of the abuse and neglect reports are related to self-neglect in Henrico.
The biggest challenge is getting older adults the help they need is convincing them to accept it.
If you’ve noticed your elderly neighbor is having trouble keeping up with life tasks, or your aging parent is showing signs of abuse, call 1-888-83-ADULT.
