Check on elders you know during Elder Abuse Awareness Month in June
Elder abuse is an under recognized
problem with devastating and even life
threatening consequences.
Every day, headlines throughout the
U.S. paint a grim picture of seniors who
have been abused, neglected and exploited,
often by people they trust the most. Abus-
ers may be spouses, family members,
personal acquaintances or professionals in
positions of trust, or opportunistic strang-
ers who prey on the vulnerable.
How big is the problem? Research
indicates that more than one in 10 elders
may experience some type of abuse, but
only one in 23 cases is reported. This
means that very few seniors who have been
abused get the help they need.
One thing is certain: Elder abuse can
happen to any older individual – your
neighbor, your loved one – it can even
happen to you.
What is elder abuse?
In general, elder abuse refers to inten-
tional or neglectful acts by a caregiver or
“trusted” individual that lead to, or may
lead to, harm of a vulnerable elder.
Physical abuse, neglect, emotional
or psychological abuse, verbal abuse and
threats, financial abuse and exploitation,
sexual abuse and abandonment are consid-
ered forms of elder abuse. In many states,
self-neglect also is considered mistreatment.
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Sexual abuse: Sexual contact that is
forced, tricked, threatened or other-
wise coerced upon an elder, including
anyone who is unable to grant consent
Exploitation: Theft, fraud, misuse
or neglect of authority and use of
undue influence as a lever to gain
control over an older person’s money
or property
Neglect: A caregiver’s failure or refusal
to provide for a vulnerable elder’s
safety, physical or emotional needs
Abandonment: Desertion of a frail
or vulnerable elder by anyone with a
duty of care
Self-neglect: An inability to under-
stand the consequences of one’s own
actions or inaction, which leads to, or
may lead to, harm or endangerment
agency or law enforcement. Although a
situation may have already been investi-
gated, if you believe circumstances are
getting worse, continue to speak out.
Keep in contact – Talk with your
older friends, neighbors and relatives.
Maintaining communication will help
decrease isolation, a risk factor for
mistreatment. It also will give them a
chance to talk about any problems they
may be experiencing.
Remember: You do not need to prove
that abuse is occurring; it is up to the
professionals to investigate the suspicions.
and sources of support, such as Meals
on Wheels. These programs help elders
maintain health, well-being and inde-
pendence – a good defense against abuse.
Volunteer – Many local opportunities
are available to become involved in pro-
grams that provide assistance and support
for seniors.
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Who is at risk?
Elder abuse can occur anywhere – in
the home, in nursing homes or in other
institutions. It affects seniors across all
socio-economic groups, cultures and
races. Based on available information,
women and “older” elders are more likely
to be victimized.
Dementia is a significant risk fac-
tor. Mental health and substance abuse
issues – of both abusers and victims – are
risk factors. Isolation also can contribute
to risk.
Types of elder abuse
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Physical abuse: Use of force to
threaten or physically injure an elder
Emotional abuse: Verbal attacks,
threats, rejection, isolation or belittling
acts that cause or could cause mental
anguish, pain or distress to a senior
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What can I do to prevent
elder abuse?
Report suspected mistreatment
to your local Adult Protective Services
Be aware of the possibility of
abuse – Look around and take note of
what may be happening with your older
neighbors and acquaintances. Do they
seem lately to be withdrawn, nervous,
fearful, sad or anxious, especially around
certain people, when they have not seemed
so in the past?
Contact your local area agency on
aging office to identify local programs
Participate in Native youth survey Find farm stands, U-pick fields and
The Center for Native American Youth (CNAY) is calling on Native youth across
the country to join our first Generation Indigenous Online Roundtable. Fill out this more with Oregon’s Bounty directory
brief 5-10 minute survey, share your opinion, win cool stuff. It’s that simple.
Since its launch in 2011, CNAY has traveled to 23 states and connected with more
than 5,000 Native youth to better understand their challenges, strengths and priorities in
urban and reservation communities. This is your chance to be part of that conversation.
The Gen-I Online Roundtable is open to Native youth under 25 until September.
Everyone who participates will be entered to win one of two full Nike N7 gear packages.
Additional prizes will be awarded monthly, including gift cards, T-shirts and other cool stuff.
We’ll share the results of the survey widely so that Native youth, and those who
serve them, can use the information to help raise money and educate their communi-
ties. Check out our blog to find more information.
Pull up a chair and join our online roundtable. We can’t wait to hear from you!
The CNAY Team – cnay.org | @Center4Native
Remains, continued from page 1
determination. Once determined to be a
Native burial, then Tribes have the role
of determining some of the next steps –
Is the area a known village site and/or
cemetery? If so, planning departments
for county/city government should be
informed so future proposed construction
projects can be proactive in design/layout
and utilities planning.
If additional ground disturbance work
is needed/planned, then a determination
is made as to if, how and when that can
happen. This might include a planned
approach as laid out in a work plan
attached to a SHPO permit. Permit appli-
cations generally take 30 days of review
time so all parties can respond. In these
situations, however, an Expedited Permit
Application can be sent out, in which
reviewers are given 48 hours to respond.
Tribal reps are generally reasonable,
experienced/seasoned staff who have
seen lots of similar situations, know how
to operate within the law and can work
with land owners to make decisions that
do not leave them hanging with uncer-
tainty or unnecessary construction delays.
Sometimes construction can resume as
planned, sometimes it is determined that
ground disturbance does not need to go as
deep and the sensitive area can be avoided.
Sometimes plans need to shift more sig-
nificantly. It all depends upon the situation
and what can or cannot be avoided.
These situations are always upsetting
to all involved on some level – someone’s or
a whole crew’s work schedule is altered, a
company’s project schedule is in question,
a home owner has multiple issues to con-
sider, and the state agencies and local law
enforcement have their own perspectives.
Tribal folks do not automatically oper-
ate from a place of anger or resentment
even in these situations, though these cir-
cumstances do bring up a remembrance of
historical wrongs. The history of a place
is not necessarily known or respected by
modern residents or visitors of areas that
once were exclusively ours, promised by
treaty agreements to be always ours. These
remains are likely those of someone forced
to leave their homelands and come to this
reservation in the 1850s, only to die 20 or
so years later, then be buried in a place
that has seen many changes since the
early 1900s. The remains of their rela-
tives and friends also likely lie nearby, if
not intact, then strewn about by earlier
construction activities.
Use a smart phone to easily find farm stands, U-pick fields, on-farm festivals – and
get driving directions – with Oregon’s Bounty at oregonfb.org.
Strawberries, asparagus, squash and salad greens – not to mention a vast array of
bedding plants, flowering baskets and fresh-cut flowers – are just a few favorites of the
agricultural bounty of spring. But if you want to buy directly from the source on a trip
out to the countryside, where do you go?
“Everyone knows where their local farmers market is. But what about farm stands,
U-pick fields and on-farm festivals out in rural areas? That’s where Oregon’s Bounty
comes in,” said OFB Communications Director Anne Marie Moss.
Oregon’s Bounty at oregonfb.org is a searchable directory of more than 300 family
farms and ranches that sell food and foliage directly to the public.
Easily navigable with a smart phone, Oregon’s Bounty allows visitors to search for
specific agriculture products – like strawberries, cauliflower and eggs – and/or search
for farms within a region of the state. Visitors also can do a search for “U-pick” or
“events” to find farms that offer those activities.
Once a farm stand is located, visitors can get driving directions from their current
location or another address.
“Oregonians love farm-fresh food. Thanks to the diversity of Oregon agriculture,
we can buy an enormous variety of fruits, vegetables, meat, nuts, flowers and foliage
directly from the families who raised it,” said Moss.
“Each of the farms listed in Oregon’s Bounty are owned and operated by Farm
Bureau members, who are proud to share what they’ve raised with the public,” said
Moss. “Spring is a great time to take a trip into the beautiful countryside and experi-
ence Oregon agriculture firsthand.”
Siletz News Letters Policy
Siletz News, a publication of the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians, is
published once a month. Our editorial policy encourages input from readers about
stories printed in Siletz News and other Tribal issues.
All letters must include the author’s signature, address, and phone number in
order to be considered for publication. Siletz News reserves the right to edit any
letter for clarity and length, and to refuse publication of any letter or any part of
a letter that may contain profane language, libelous statements, personal attacks
or unsubstantiated statements.
Not all letters are guaranteed publication upon submission. Published letters do
not necessarily reflect the opinions of Siletz News, Tribal employees, or Tribal Council.
Please type or write legibly. Letters longer than 450 words may be edited for
length as approved by Tribal Council Resolution #96-142.
Please note: The general manager
of the Siletz Tribe is the editor-in-chief
of Siletz News.
Editor-in-Chief: Brenda Bremner
June 2016
Editor: Diane Rodriquez
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Siletz News
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