Public is invited to “Go Purple” at
Carroll County World Elder Abuse Awareness Day
Event on June 11th
Westminster, MD, Thursday,
May 31, 2018 – Join us in kicking-off World Elder Abuse Awareness Week at a GO PURPLE
event on Monday, June 11, 2018. Carroll County Bureau of Aging &
Disabilities is partnering with the Carroll County State’s Attorney’s Office,
Sheriff’s Office, and Carroll Lutheran Village to GO PURPLE in our community by
raising awareness on the different forms of elder abuse.
Building
strong support for elders begins by recognizing the signs of abuse and neglect,
as well as scams and fraud. Carroll County’s Long Term Care Ombudsman Program Coordinator,
Gail Gannon, will delve into the different areas of elder abuse including
neglect, verbal, emotional, as well as physical. Ms. Gannon will discuss how to
recognize potential signs of abuse, what you can do to report suspected abuse,
and ways to prevent elder abuse. Dean Brewer, Chief Investigator of the Carroll
County State’s Attorney’s Office, will speak on the scams currently being
reported in our community and how to prevent becoming a victim of fraud. There
will also be time for questions and answers.
Doors will open at 9:30 a.m.
on Monday, June 11, 2018 in the Chapel of Carroll Lutheran Village, 300 St.
Luke Circle, with the program running 10 to 11:30 a.m. Registration is not required.
Several
local and state agencies will be available to answer questions and distribute
resources. Information relevant to those in law enforcement, the aging and
disabilities profession, financial services, as well as older adults, their
families, and caregivers will be available. Also, the Carroll County Sheriff’s
Office will collect unused or expired medication for safe disposal.
A
free shuttle is available on a first come, first served basis, from the
Westminster, Mt. Airy, and South Carroll Senior & Community Centers. Call
410-386-3800 to reserve your spot.
For additional information, contact:
Leslie Wagner
410-386-3818
 According to the National Center for Elder Abuse website: “The International Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse and the World Health Organization at the United Nations (UN) launched the first World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD) on June 15, 2006 in an effort to unite communities around the world in raising awareness about elder abuse. WEAAD serves as a call-to-action for our communities to raise awareness about abuse, neglect, and exploitation of elders, and reaffirm our country’s commitment to the principle of justice for all. When we come together, we can prevent elder abuse from happening. We can put support services in place, and direct community resources toward addressing elder abuse. Our country must reaffirm our commitment to justice and create a sturdy structure of support that will benefit us all as we get older. Elder abuse is widespread. Every year an estimated 1 in 10 older Americans are victims of elder abuse, neglect, or exploitation. And that’s only part of the picture: Experts believe that elder abuse is significantly under-reported, in part because so many of our communities lack the social supports that would make it easier for those who experience abuse to report it. Research suggests that as few as 1 in 14 cases of elder abuse come to the attention of authorities. In addition to being a clear violation of the American commitment to justice for all, elder abuse is an issue with many consequences for our society. Its effects on our communities range from public health to economic issues.”
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