As World Elder Abuse Awareness Day approaches on June 15, Anne Arundel County's Long-Term Care (LTC) Ombudsman Program is set to engage directly with senior community members. With visits planned across senior activity centers during June, their aim, as reported by Anne Arundel County's official news release, is to inform and educate on the perils of elder abuse and exploitation. This is a significant concern, as the World Health Organization states that approximately one in six individuals aged 60 and older are subjected to some form of abuse in community settings annually.
LTC Ombudsmen are to safeguard the welfare of those in nursing homes and assisted living facilities through regular, unannounced visits. Trained to be ever-watchful for signs of abuse—especially among those with cognitive impairments—these ombudsmen are pivotal in ensuring the elderly are protected from physical, emotional, sexual, or financial harm. The National Ombudsman Resource System (NORS) has documented that about seven percent of complaints in institutional contexts are related to abuse or neglect.
The LTC Ombudsman Program, operated under the Department of Aging and Disabilities, serves as a resource for individuals seeking to mitigate the risk of isolation and potential abuse among seniors in Anne Arundel County. Concerned citizens, encouraged to get involved actively, can report suspected elder abuse in nursing homes or assisted living facilities by calling the new hotline at 410-222-4259 or visiting the department's website. For instances of elder abuse within the community, Adult Protective Services can be reached at 410-421-8400.
