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OKLAHOMA CAPITOL -- As the mercury rises this summer, many Oklahomans will be busy planning vacations, working in their yards and trying to beat the heat. But while most are enjoying the sun, many of Oklahoma’s vulnerable adults will spend the next few months facing strenuous challenges.
“The summer months can be a difficult and even dangerous time for the elderly and adults with disabilities,” said Barbara Kidder, Adult Protective Services director, Oklahoma Department of Human Services. “We investigated more than 5,500 cases last summer and the majority of those dealt with self neglect.”
In an effort to make this summer a safer time for the states elderly and adults with disabilities, the OKDHS Adult Protective Services Division offers these suggestions on how everyone can help their friends and neighbors who are elderly or who have disabilities.
- Check on your friends and neighbors who are elderly or who have a disability and make sure they are keeping cool. Some older Oklahomans don’t have adequate cooling equipment or air conditioning. Others are reluctant to operate their units due to the effect of high-energy costs on their fixed incomes.
- When you’re running errands, stop and ask an elderly neighbor if they need anything, or offer to give them a ride. It will only take a few more minutes and it will keep them out of the dangerous heat.
Since you already have the mower running after cutting your own grass, before hitting the shower, take some time to trim an elderly neighbors lawn. - When severe weather approaches, many adults who are elderly or who have disabilities may not be able to hear the tornado sirens or be able to get to safety quickly on their own. Make sure your neighbors are safe by inviting them into your storm shelter or home. When a severe storm causes a power outage, check on them to make sure they have adequate food and water and their homes haven’t suffered any damage.
- Letting your friends and neighbors who are elderly or who have disabilities know that they can call on you when their family is out of town or on vacation can give them peace of mind.
“All it takes is just a few minutes to check on folks and make sure they’re cool and safe,” said Kidder. “If everyone just shows a little good will and concern for their neighbors we can all have a safe and fun summer.”
To report suspected abuse, contact the Adult Abuse Hotline at 1-800-522-3511, or, your local OKDHS Human Services Center. Or, click on http://www.OKDHS.org/APS.
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