Senior citizens who fall victim to elder abuse now have a Michigan shelter just for them.
Jewish Senior Life of Metro Detroit is opening an “Elder Abuse Shelter” today to offer emergency housing for 90 days at both an independent and an assisted living center, as well as a medical center for those who need full-time nursing.
“We know that [elder abuse] really is silent, and the older adult either feels so vulnerable or they don’t know where to turn,” says CEO Rochelle Upfal.
“We want to become this safe haven of shelter, so when people need to move temporarily out of the setting where they are being victimized, they can have a safe place…while we work with our community partners to return to wherever they would like to call home,” Upfal says.
Upfal says 1 in 24 older adults fall victim to elder abuse, including financial abuse and neglect.
She says senior abuse often happens because caregivers are stressed - so this shelter system will also offer counseling for family members.
Seniors who stay at the shelter will have access to legal help, counseling, and case management.
They also have a hotline at (248) 661-0123 for anyone who wants to contact the shelter.
