Thursday 20 February 2025 is National Adult Support and Protection Day.
The theme for this years' awareness raising campaign is 'Financial Harm affecting Older Adults'. Older Adults in particular, can be vulnerable to being harmed financially - sometimes by strangers or professional scammers, but also by people they know and trust.
Signs of financial harm can vary, but could include things you see or hear about the adult and their financial situation. You might notice that an adult you know is struggling to pay their bills when previously it was not an issue. You might be concerned that there is less food in the house. You may be suspicious that someone known to the adult is not acting in their best interests regarding their finances.
Adults who have to rely on others for their care, can be especially at risk of being financially harmed.
It's important to speak up about any concerns you have, as the person may not be able to do so themselves.
Brenda Walker, National Adult Support and Protection Coordinator for Scotland, said: "It can be difficult to know what to do when you're worried about someone, and you might feel that you don't want to interfere. However, reporting your concerns could really help to keep someone safe and turn their life around.
"The current cost of living crisis is making it even more difficult for those who are looking after others, or struggling to take care of themselves, so it's more important right now than ever to keep your eyes open for signs of harm.
"Everyone has a role to play in keeping those in their communities safe, so I would encourage anyone who has seen something that worries them to please say something."
Who to contact
There are a number of ways you can get in touch to report concerns about an adult you think could be at risk of being neglected in West Lothian:
Monday to Thursday (Office Hours) 8.30am - 5pm and Friday 8.30am - 4pm
• Tel: 01506 284848
Email: adultsocialcare@westlothian.gov.uk
Outside office hours
Social Care Emergency Team
• Tel: 01506 281028/9
An online referral can be completed via https://publicprotectionwestlothian.org.uk/article/84784/Adult-Support-and-Welfare-Concern-Form
Financial harm is often a crime. To report a crime, contact Police Scotland on 101, or in an emergency dial 999.
Additional Places to get support for older adults
• Hourglass - Safer Aging - stopping abuse - https://wearehourglass.scot/scotland
• Food Train - Supporting older people to eat well, age well and live well at home - https://thefoodtrain.co.uk/
We want your feedback
If you are an adult in West Lothian who has been supported by Adult Support & Protection processes or if you are a Carer of an adult who has been supported by these processes then we would like to hear from you.
You can provide feedback on your experience by using the QR code or the link below to complete our survey:
https://forms.office.com/e/M9Xa3Vf7Mz
