Viral video prompts questions about elder abuse reporting

By Randy Aldridge

WILMINGTON, N.C. (WECT) - A video taken by a Wilmington man has gone viral on social media.

Jonathan Pigford said the video shows his elderly neighbor wandering alone and showing signs of neglect. Many people wondered if the situation had reached the level of abuse or neglect.

Sean Dwyer is program manager for adult services at New Hanover County’s Department of Social Services. While he could not speak directly about the viral video, he said that cases like this are tricky to navigate.

Reporting is key to getting help

Dwyer says that the key to getting someone the help they may need often starts with making a call.

“If it’s just streaming out there for you and other people, and everyone’s talking about it, but no one’s reported it to the entity that needs to be out there to look at it, all it does is delay that person’s care,” Dwyer said.

“I would just encourage them to report. These days, we have lots of different platforms to share information. In the end, we are still the entity that needs that information,” he said.

Understanding the difference between abuse and neglect

Dwyer said that knowing the signs of elder abuse before calling is important. It can help the responding agency determine whether it’s abuse or neglect.

“When someone tells us, oh, they’re being abused, a lot of people use it as kind of a blanket term. For us, it’s a caretaker is abusing someone,” Dwyer said. “When it comes to neglect, there’s actually two versions of neglect. We have caretaker neglect and self-neglect.”

Signs of abuse

• Any type of confinement or restraint as punishment
• Refusing services for somebody (having the ability to put services in place and choosing not to)
• Any type of physical act that violates the individual

Signs of neglect

Self-neglect (most common):

• Not having adequate resources and refusal to seek them out
• Isolation
• Not meeting basic needs such as hygiene and eating

Caretaker neglect:

• Exploitation
• Not meeting basic needs such as hygiene and eating

When in doubt, report

Dwyer stated that regardless of whether the signs are clear, an investigation cannot begin until an official report is filed.

“We’re asking if you see enough concern and you’re worried, please do make a report,” Dwyer said.

If you suspect elder abuse, call 910-798-3500. 

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Viral video prompts questions about elder abuse reporting