World Elder Abuse Awareness Day to be recognized on June 15.
by Morgan Lentes
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NEW ORLEANS —
Louisiana will recognize World Elder Abuse Awareness Day on June 15.
In the New Orleans Metro area, the Gretna Council on Aging's Office, which is located 476 Franklin Street, will host an event to answer questions for people wishing to be advocates for older individuals. That event is happening from 8:30 to 10 a.m.
Ebony Thomas-Phillips, with the Governor's Office of Elderly Affairs, told WDSU that cases of elder abuse often go underreported in the state.
"We estimate that we are only receiving one in 10 cases that are actually occurring," said Thomas-Phillips. "Here in Louisiana, over the last fiscal year, we investigated 5,500 cases of abuse, so it is prevalent."
Elder abuse comes in many forms, including physical or sexual abuse, financial exploitation and abuse of power of attorney.
"One thing we can say about elders is they pay their bills and they pay them on time," said Thomas-Phillips. "So when you see things like (late fees) that can be a red flag."
Thomas-Phillips encouraged anyone who believes elder abuse is occurring to call 833-577-6532 and file an anonymous complaint. Staff with the state's elderly protective services program will then investigate the claim.
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