Elder Abuse Protection Programs In Houston To Help You Or A Loved One

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In this resource guide, I will share with you information to help you if you are a senior (or know a senior) who is the victim of elder abuse in Houston.

For seniors, individuals with disabilities, and family members it can be hard to find the help you need. Elderly people are particularly vulnerable to abuse because they don’t have many ways of defending themselves or getting help. They often live alone and rely on others for their care.

Even if they do have family members who check up on them, some seniors will not want to admit that they’re being abused out of shame or fear.

Being informed on the subject of elder abuse is the best way to prevent it. Continue reading this article to learn how to identify elder abuse and find local resources that can help you identify and penalize people who mistreat elders or persons with disabilities.

What Is Elder Abuse?

Any abuse or neglect of persons age 60 and older by a caregiver or another individual in a position of trust is considered to be elder abuse.

Physical violence, emotional abuse, sexual assault, exploitation, negligence, and abandonment are all examples of elder abuse.

Perpetrators of elder abuse can be anyone from:

• The children of the senior citizen
• Family members
• A spouse
• Nursing home workers
• Other residents at an assisted living facility

Examples Of Elder Abuse

The following are examples of elder abuse. Use these definitions to better understand if you or a family member is being abused.

Type Of Edler Abuse	Example
Physical Abuse	Use of force that causes serious illness, damage, discomfort, or loss of ability. Bruises, pressure marks or sores, fractured bones, abrasions, and burns are all examples of bodily harm that can result from physical abuse.
Emotional Abuse	Any form of psychological maltreatment that causes mental pain, anguish, or distress can be considered emotional abuse. Emotional abuse can be caused verbally or non-verbally. Deprivation from normal activities, low self-esteem, a depressed or scared appearance, self-injury, acute mood swings, and altered eating and sleeping routines are all examples of emotional abuse.
Sexual Abuse	Sexual abuse includes any unwelcome non-consensual physical contact of any kind. Although some cases of sexual abuse are visible, many more go unreported. These could include bruises or injuries to the genital region that cause discomfort while sitting or moving, indications of PTSD, restlessness, socially or emotionally withdrawn behavior, and suicide attempts.
Neglect/Abandonment	Elder abuse is when any caregivers or other responsible parties fail to give necessities such as food, shelter, medical care, or protection. Neglect may manifest in a number of ways, including weight loss, rocking back and forth, acting agitated or violent behavior, stopping to participate in activities that are usually enjoyed, untidy appearance, and unsanitary living conditions.
Abandonment	When a caregiver or responsible party permanently abandons an elderly individual in their care, it is known as abandonment. The withdrawal of food, clean water, adequate shelter, and medical care are all examples of abandonment.
Financial Exploitation	Financial exploitation occurs when an elderly person’s money and/or property is misused by someone who did not have permission to do so. Forgery, forcing the elderly to sign papers, taking things or cash, false promises for money or property, and unlawful use of a credit card are only a few examples of financial exploitations that can happen to senior citizens.

 

How To Report Elder Abuse In Houston

The two ways that you can report abuse to a senior citizen in Houston are:

• Call the Houston Police Department by dialing 911 if it is an immediate emergency
• Make an APS report by dialing 800.252.5400

Here is more context on each of those options listed above.

Call HPD To Report An Immediate Emergency

If you or a senior citizen is in immediate danger you can dial 911 to get police out to your location.

Editor’s Note: If you have a non-emergent situation, but want to speak to law enforcement in Houston, you can dial 713.884.3131. This is the Houston non-emergency police number.

When the police arrive they will assess the situation and make a report of what they see. The officer might take further action if they believe there is evidence that supports elder abuse, but this depends on what you say during your conversation with them as well as their knowledge of elder abuse laws in Texas.

Make An APS Report If There Is No Immediate Danger

Your second option for reporting elder abuse in Houston is to make an APS report. APS stands for Adult Protection Services.

This department is a resource for reporting abuse, neglect, and exploitation of the elderly. Managed by, Texas Health and Humans Services, they have resources to help seniors who are being abused as well as investigate reports made by other sources.

To learn more about APS or make a report you can dial 800.252.5400 or visit TXAbuseHotline.org to make an online report.

Our guide titled How To Make A Texas APS Report goes into detail about how to file this report with Adult Protective Services.

More Houston Elder Abuse Resources To Protect Seniors

Below is a listing of Houston organizations that specialize in elder abuse.

• APS
• Houston Police Department Non-Emergency Line
• Crime Stoppers Houston
• AARP Texas
• FBI Houston
• Harris County Justice Center
• Harris County District Attorney’s Office

Each of the agencies above are very knowledgeable and can be a great starting point if you need to better understand what elder abuse is and receive guidance on protecting you or someone you know.

Here is more information about each of these Houston elder abuse protection agencies.

Crime Stoppers Houston

Crime Stoppers is a local non-profit that helps citizens to protect themselves from crimes. Many law enforcement agencies work with them, and they can assist you in finding the best program if you are overwhelmed by the options.

To report a crime you can call the Houston Crime Stoppers tip line at 713.222.TIPS or visit their website for more information about Houston crime statistics and more.

AARP Texas

AARP is a nonprofit, that helps older Americans age in place and connect them to resources that they may qualify for based on age. AARP Texas concentrates on helping individuals 50+ in areas like:

• Fraud prevention to help you spot scams, report them, and even receive discounts on products that help you protect your identity and more.
• Advocates on important issues in your state that impact seniors
• Helps you understand family caregiving options and estimates the cost of long-term care.
• Discounts on things like auto insurance, restaurants, entertainment, and more.

For more information on this membership program, you can visit the AARP Texas website.

FBI Houston

The FBI can help seniors avoid elder abuse by teaching them how to spot the signs of financial exploitation and other scams.

The FBI may be able to help seniors if they are being abused through their finances by teaching them “how to spot the signs.” They can also educate individuals about what exactly constitutes elder abuse and who is most vulnerable to it, potentially saving lives and money.

For more information on scams that are targeted at senior citizens, you can visit the Houston FBI website to learn more or contact them directly. The Houston FBI office is located at 1 Justice Park Drive, Houston, TX 77292. Their phone number is 713.693.5000.

Harris County District Attorney’s Office

The Harris County DA’s office is a good place to turn to receive help understanding the criminal justice system and knowing your rights if you are a victim of a crime.

They can answer inquiries regarding the timing of how long a case takes to resolve, keep you informed about the procedure, and assist you in staying safe.

A Harris County Victim Assistance Coordinator can help you access resources related to:

• Counseling for trauma.
• Restitution to help you recover from a financial loss.
• Emergency relocation if you could be in danger.

For more information, you can visit the Harris County District Attorney’s Victim Service Division website or call them directly at 713.274.0250.

Harris County Justice Center (Senior Justice Assessment Center)

The Harris County Justice Center offers specific assistance to Houston seniors who are the victims of abuse via the Senior Justice Assessment Center (SJAC).

The Harris County SJAC is linked to numerous senior abuse protection services that can assist you in locating the best help for your needs. Whether your case is related to physical abuse, a verbal threat, or financial exploitations of seniors in Houston, the Senior Justice Assessment Center is a good place to call for help.

The services that the Houston SJAC help with are:

• Assessments
• Multidisciplinary team meetings
• Case coordination
• Treatment referrals
• Education
• Research

To speak to someone with this program you can visit the Harris County Justice Center website, call the SJAC at 713.394.4000, or visit their location at 2525 Murworth, Houston, TX 77054.

Conclusion

If you or someone you know is the victim of elder abuse in Houston, there is help available.

You can either call 911 if there is an immediate danger or make a report with Adult Protective Services (APS) otherwise.

Elder abuse can come in many forms and may include physical abuse, verbal threats, abandonment by family members, financial exploitation from unscrupulous individuals, neglect to provide food and medical care for elders who cannot afford it themselves.

To better understand your options if you are a victim of elder abuse in Houston contact any one of these non-profits listed below to get guidance through the process if you feel afraid or scared about what happens next.

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