Elderly Abuse Awareness month in the Permian Basin

MIDLAND, Texas (KOSA) - It’s Elderly Abuse Awareness Month around the world but in the Permian Basin, two organizations want it to be known.

Texas Department of Family and Protective Services member Marci Leffler and Visiting Angels Executive Director Bernadette Ostroff spoke about the importance of the month and want those that can look for senior citizens to check on their well-being.

According to Adult Protective Services, in 2022, Texas reported over 84 thousand APS Investigations; 1,412 of those cases within the Permian Basin.

“We provide certified caregivers to go into the home of seniors, and provide care for them, if it’s for an hour a day, helping them to bathe, to groom, or if it’s 24/7 care that they need and so that’s what we do,” said Visiting Angels Executive Director Bernadette Ostroff.

“We see a lot of neglect, we see a lot of self-neglect where people are just not able to take care of themselves, they don’t have the medications, they don’t live in a clean environment, they’re not getting medical attention, so that’s neglect, there’s also physical abuse, sexual abuse and we also do financial exploitation,” said Adult Protective Service Community Engagement Specialist Marci Leffler.

If you would like to report an elder in need of help or support, you could call visiting angels at 432-897-4094.

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