Most Police Officers Aren't Aware of Their Role When it Comes to Dealing with Elder Abuse

BY RUTHANN ROBINSON rrobinson@nwitimes.com

SCHERERVILLE Lake County Adult Protective Services already investigated more reports of abuse this year than for all of 2006.

Nicky Ali Jackson urged attendees to watch for signs an elderly person is being abused such as a caregiver refusing to let the person be seen alone, the person becoming socially withdrawn or new names added on bank accounts.

An associate professor of criminal justice at Purdue University, Jackson said rocking, sucking and biting -- which often are seen as signs of dementia -- also can alert observers to possible emotional abuse.

Jackson said a national study by Police Executive Research Forum showed most police officers aren't aware of their role when it comes to dealing with elder abuse and want more training on the subject.

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