Elderly Abuse — a form of domestic violence: According to the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services, it is everybody’s business to protect vulnerable adults from abuse, neglect, financial exploitation and isolation. They’ve launched a prevention campaign.

• Texas has more than 2.2 million residents age 65 or older according to population projections.
• Nearly one out of five people have a disability, and almost one-half of people over 65 have a disability.
• In Fiscal Year 2005, Adult Protective Services completed 67,023 investigations of abuse, neglect, or exploitation involving adults living at home. Of these, 45,392 were confirmed.
• In Fiscal Year 2005, Adult Protective Services completed 8,169 MH&MR investigations, which include MH&MR settings such as state hospitals, schools, and centers.
• In the last decade, the number of in-home cases investigated by Adult Protective Services has more than doubled.
• More than 85% of the allegations of maltreatment that are validated in APS in-home cases include neglect.

Many factors contribute to the abuse, neglect and exploitation. State groups, like the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services and the Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services are up and running to ensure personal safety and freedom for older adults who deserve protection from abuse, neglect, and exploitation, but it is also up to groups like Delivered Out Ministries to reach this population of people at the community level.

The Texas Council on Family Violence reported that Othellia Adamek, 68, died on June 23, 2006. She was shot to death by her husband, Daniel Adamek, Sr., 76. Mr. Adamek was arrested and charged with the murder. Is it possible that that this woman could have been reached and her murder could have been prevented? It is possible.

It is imperative that we increase and expand or services to older adult survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault as well as engaging the community in our efforts by also offering awareness and prevention programs to help people recognize the indicators that someone is being abused. Delivered Out Ministries serves Dallas-Fort Worth and surrounding suburbs and towns. Older adults but may need guidance and counseling, referrals, transportation, crime victim compensation application assistance, etc.

Services for Seniors

• Community education
• Guidance and counseling
• Referrals
• Transportation assistance
• Food assistance
• Crime Victim Compensation application assistance and more

Are you afraid?

If a loved one, a spouse, a relative, including your own child, a neighbor, a caregiver or someone else you know is hurting you, taking your money or belongings or making you afraid, IT IS NOT OKAY! Get help now! Call us today at 214-207-7648.