06/06/2026
💜 June is Elder Abuse Awareness Month
Physical abuse of older adults is more common than many people realize, and sadly, the signs are often overlooked or mistaken for accidents, aging, or illness.
Some warning signs may include:
🔹 Unexplained bruises, cuts, burns, or fractures
🔹 Frequent trips to the emergency room or doctor without a clear explanation
🔹 Injuries in various stages of healing
🔹 Fearfulness, anxiety, or withdrawal around certain individuals
🔹 Sudden changes in behavior, mood, or personality
🔹 Reluctance to speak openly when a caregiver or family member is present
🔹 Reports of being pushed, slapped, restrained, or handled roughly
Physical abuse can occur in any setting and can be committed by family members, caregivers, acquaintances, or others in positions of trust.
At Trilogy Home Care, we believe every older adult deserves to be treated with dignity, respect, kindness, and compassion. If something doesn't seem right, trust your instincts. A simple conversation or wellness check could make a life-changing difference.
If you suspect an older adult is being abused, neglected, or exploited, please report your concerns to Adult Protective Services.
💙 Protect. Respect. Support.
Because growing older should never mean becoming vulnerable to mistreatment.
💜 This week, we continue our focus on Elder Abuse Awareness Month.
The first type of abuse we want to discuss is how to recognize the signs of Physical Abuse.
Physical abuse is one of the most commonly reported forms. According to the World Health Organization, about 1 in 6 adults age 60 and older experience some form of abuse in community settings each year.
If you are concerned about an older adult’s safety or well-being, you can make a report to Adult Protective Services (DARS) here:
https://dars.virginia.gov/safety-security/file-a-report/
Physical abuse may include:
• Hitting or slapping
• Shoving or pushing
• Burning or pinching
• Biting
• Misuse of medications
• Use of restraints inappropriately
These actions are never acceptable, and they are often easier to miss than we realize.