- [Announcer] NPT Reports: Aging Matters.

(urgent music) - So my name is Sasha Hammett and I am the program manager at the CAC Office on Aging with the Rise Above Crime program.

We work with victims of elder abuse.

(gentle music) Our main priority is getting the victim to a safe place through case management services.

The beauty of the Office on Aging is that we have so many programs that are there to help with that.

You know, we can get you hooked up with transportation.

We can get your medicine delivered.

We can get your food delivered.

- I got connected with Rise Above Crime.

I had no food in the house, and, you know, I had this thing.

I help people with food.

I don't receive it.

And that first Meals on Wheels from CAC came, and he talked to me like a human.

I found out I'm not alone.

- Mostly what we see is an individual being victimized by a family member or a caregiver, somebody that they love and trust.

So a lot of the times the victim has to rely on their abuser for something.

Not only are we trying to connect 'em to those resources, to where they're not dependent on the abuser, we're also reaching out to other people that are in their lives that they can depend on, that maybe might be more healthy for them.

- If you see somethin' happening, you can call 911 and tell 'em what's happening.

- You don't have to live your life this way.

You can find help.

You can get out of this situation.

You don't have to cut off your abuser completely, but you can not be dependent on them, because there are resources out there for you.

We serve victims in Knox County, but if you are outside of Knox County, or in any other part of the state, I would contact your local Area Agency on Aging and Disability and make a report to Adult Protective Services.

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