Social Distance Doesn't Have to Mean Social Isolation

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There is no doubt that social distancing is one of the best ways to reduce the impact of a virus spreading through a community. Many of you received an emergency alert on your phones the night of March 25th notifying Washington, DC residents of the closure of non-essential businesses and a prohibition on larger gatherings until April 24, 2020.  We have seen the closing of metro stations and changes in how we get on the bus. With limited access to get around, food shopping is harder, community centers are closed, and church services for most have moved online.  Non-essential workers have gone home and face economic challenges. Social distancing often feels a lot like social isolation.  

Older District residents may be feeling the impacts of this social isolation deeply. Seniors may be fearful of being exposed to the virus and need food, medicines or just a friendly hello.  While many of us are connected to the internet through a variety of devices, many older Americans may not have access to the internet via a computer or mobile phone or may be dependent on someone else to access the outside world. 

Even more troubling, being socially isolated with an abuser can increase the risk of financial exploitation, violence and neglect.  Emotional, physical, and sexual abuse occurs at any age and by an intimate partner, family member, or caregiver whether at home or in a care facility. Unfortunately, social isolation, uncertainty and fear can leave older adults vulnerable to scammers and fraud from unscrupulous strangers as well. 

If you haven’t seen an older neighbor in a while – even if they have a family member/or caregiver in the house or who periodically stops by – now is a good time to check-up on them from a safe distance of 6 ft away or through a phone call. Perhaps you can knock on their door and then back up to a safe distance down the hallway, or off the stoop to allow them to answer the door, and talk to you from there. Ask them how they are managing and if they are in need of anything. Your neighbor may qualify for home delivered meals or other services. If you see signs of abuse or they tell you they are being abused or neglected, but they aren’t in immediate danger, you can call or encourage them to call the DC Victim Helpline: 844-443-5732. 

Sign of abuse include:

  • Abandonment and neglect by failing to provide medicine, food, and needed care;

  • Hitting, shoving, strangling, or other physical harm;

  • Unwelcome touching or forcing sexual acts on a person;

  • Threats of harm;

  • Intentionally scaring a person;

  • Yelling and calling a person names;

  • Preventing contact by family members and friends;

  • Threatening to leave or send a dependent person away;

  • Tricking a person out of money or property;

  • Forcing a person to sign documents to give money or property; and

  • Taking money or property without permission or through coercion (even if they are a relative).

Author: Renée Carrico

Network for Victim Recovery of DCComment