Common Questions
Legal Disclaimer: The following is basic legal information, provided as a public service by Wyoming’s lawyers. The information provided is not a substitute for speaking to an attorney. Only an attorney can give you legal advice regarding your specific situation. Click here for help finding a lawyer.
Neglect
Physical abuse
Sexual abuse
Financial abuse and exploitation
Emotional or psychological abuse and neglect (including verbal abuse and threats)
Abandonment
In a person’s own home;
In nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and other institutional settings;
In hospitals.
Some common risk factors:
The victim has dementia;
The perpetrator and/or the victim has mental health or substance abuse issues;
Social isolation;
Poor physical health, which increases vulnerability and thereby may increase risk.
Research also suggests that elder abuse is significantly under-identified and under-reported. It is believed that as few as 1 in 14 cases come to the attention of authorities.
See Wyoming Elder Abuse Reporting or the Albany County SAFE Project for more information.
For suspected elder mistreatment in the home call 1-800-475-3659 or (307) 777-3602.
For suspected abuse in healthcare facilities call (307) 777-7123.
For suspected abuse in long-term care facilities (nursing homes) call (307) 322-5553.
Wyoming Adult Protective Services, or
Eldercare Locator at 1-800-677-1116
Having your income (retirement, Social Security, disability) directly deposited into your checking account
Utilizing a daily money manager
Getting your estate plan in place by contacting a lawyer to help you create the following as appropriate:
Learning about your options if you have to go to a long term care facility
Living will
Revocable trust
Durable power of attorney for health care or asset management
Contacting someone you trust before making a large purchase or investment
Using caution if you are offered a “prize” “loan” “investment” that sounds too good to be true
Using caution with your personal information (social security card, credit card)
Tearing or shredding your credit card receipts, bank statements, and financial records before throwing them away
Ensuring that people you hire for personal assistance services have been property screened with criminal background checks
Getting on the National Do Not Call Registry to reduce marketing calls by calling 1-888-382-1222
Staying in touch with other regularly as isolation can make you vulnerable
Creating a buddy system with other elders
The Wyoming Office of the Attorney General, Division of Victim Services may provide additional help.
Also the Wyoming Department of Health, Aging Division provides an overview of services available to seniors in Wyoming.
The Long Term Care Ombudsman Act: W.S. 9-2-1301 to 9-2-1309.
Knowing the signs of elder abuse
Call or visit elders to see how they are doing
Give breaks to caregivers
Ask your bank to train tellers on elder financial abuse
Ask your doctor to speak with seniors about family violence
Contact local adult protective services to learn how to support their work helping at-risk elders with disabilities
Organize a “respect your elders” essay or poster contest at your child’s school
Ask your religious leader to give a talk about elder abuse
Volunteer to be a friendly visitor to a nursing home
Send a letter to your local media suggesting they cover World Elder Abuse Awareness Day
Dedicate an event to elder mistreatment awareness