By Mandy Hrach
MEMPHIS, Tenn. — A Memphis man is behind bars and facing charges after an investigation by the TBI uncovered he assaulted a vulnerable adult while working as a caregiver.
Investigators say Denzel Triggs reportedly assaulted an intellectually delayed, vulnerable adult in the 6500 block of Bald Oak Drive.
The incident is bringing to light how common elder abuse is.
The state reports about 1 in 10 people ages 60 and older who live at home experience abuse, neglect, or exploitation.
What’s even more concerning is experts say most of these cases go unreported.
“We have to get more involved with our neighbors, church members, and we have to look for signs,” Chassity Taylor with the Family Safe Center in Memphis said.
In most cases, Taylor said victims know their abuser.
“Oftentimes, the victim may not want to report their daughter or their son or their trusted family member and get them in trouble, so often it goes unreported,” she said.
Taylor said elder abuse is defined as any type of infliction of harm to a person who is vulnerable.
“There are many different types of elder abuse,” she said. “There is emotional, there’s neglect, there’s financial as well as physical abuse and sexual abuse.”
Taylor said her agency works with local law enforcement, health professionals, and social service workers to investigate abuse claims.
Warning signs of abuse in vulnerable adults include feelings of depression, isolation, unexplained injury, and changes in banking or spending habits.
“There might be a caregiver that all of a sudden has nice new things while you go to visit the person or loved one, and there is no food in the fridge,” Madison Keller, the CEO and President of Meritan in Memphis, said.
Meritan also works to stop elder abuse.
Keller estimates only 1 in 10 cases ever get reported, and the pandemic has made matters worse.
“It’s been a really ripe environment as people are staying away from each other because of fear of the pandemic, and that allows for exploitation to happen, and people don’t know about it,” she said.
That’s why both women say if you suspect a vulnerable adult is being abused, it’s important to report it.
Under state law, everyone in Tennessee is required to report abuse or suspected abuse.
If you believe a vulnerable adult, whether it be a loved one, a neighbor, or someone you know, is being abused, call Adult Protective Services at 1-888-277-8366.
You can also report it to local agencies such as Meritan, the Family Safety Center, and your local police department.
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