Holiday visits to aging parents, aunts, uncles, neighbors and friends present a wonderful opportunity to enjoy one another’s company and catch up on the events of the past days, weeks or months since the last visit. Attorney General Kelly A. Ayotte wishes safe travel and good health to New Hampshire’s seniors and their families during this holiday season.

Although most seniors throughout New Hampshire enjoy active, social, independent lives and good health, some are not as fortunate. Attorney General Ayotte is encouraging anyone who plans to visit an elderly friend or loved one who may be vulnerable or at risk this holiday season to use the opportunity to assess the elder’s personal health and safety. “Holiday visits present the opportunity to evaluate what assistance vulnerable or at risk parents or elderly loved ones may need,” Attorney General Ayotte said. “You may find that your friend or loved one hasn’t changed at all, or you may be faced with certain signs that warrant legitimate concern for their health and safety.”

Visits to elderly friends or loved ones may lead to concerns of potential elder abuse, neglect, self-neglect, or financial exploitation. Typically, such cases go undetected or unreported because victims are unlikely to report being abused, neglected or exploited and many people lack the general awareness to recognize the potential warning signs. Knowing the signs of potential abuse, neglect, self-neglect, and exploitation may just save an elderly friend or loved one from further harm.

When visiting an elderly friend or loved one, you may encounter signs of potential self-neglect. Does the elder appear easily confused? Are they able to clean and cook for themselves? Does the residence appear cluttered when the elder has always maintained a spotless house and personal appearance? Does the elder appear depressed? Are they drinking too much? Are they overmedicating or under medicating? Are they experiencing frequent falls? Are they engaging in hoarding or other unusual behavior?

Also look for signs that the elderly loved one is being financially exploited. Is there a new “best friend” in the elder’s life who is living with him or her rent-free or at little or no cost? Have there been changes in banking and spending patterns which might indicate memory impairment? Are there mass-mailings from foreign lotteries? Is the elder sending money to people that they met though the mail or as a result of a phone solicitation? Are there “overdue” notices from utility companies?

Lastly, look for signs of potential physical abuse or neglect. Most elder abuse and neglect is committed by a caregiver (paid or unpaid) or relative who lives with the elder. Does the elder appear nervous or intimidated in the presence of the caregiver or relative? Does the caregiver or relative hover around the elder while you are visiting or do they answer questions for the elder? Are there any bruises on the elder that appear inconsistent with the elder’s account of how the injury occurred? Does the elder appear ill or malnourished? Do they appear clean? Are they dressed appropriately?

Family and friends of New Hampshire’s seniors are encouraged to remain involved in the lives of their aging friends and relatives. “The health and safety of New Hampshire’s seniors remains a priority for my office,” Attorney General Ayotte said “We should take every opportunity to remain connected to our elderly friends and loved ones and the holidays are a fitting season to do this.”

If you suspect that an incapacitated elderly person is being abused, neglected, financially exploited or is engaging in self-neglect behavior, New Hampshire law mandates that you report the incident to the Bureau of Elderly and Adult Services at 1-800-949-0470. You may remain anonymous and calls are confidential. You should also report the incident to the local law enforcement agency in the town where the elder resides.

For further information contact the Elder Abuse Prosecutor at the Attorney General’s Office, Assistant Attorney General Tracy Culberson at (603) 271-0102.