Staff reports - Gadsden Times
Way too often, that's not the case.
According to the National Council on Aging, roughly one in 10 Americans over the age of 60, about 5 million people, have experienced some form of abuse.
It can be overt or blatant: Examples listed by the NCOA include emotional, physical or sexual abuse; willful deprivation of things like medication, medical care, needed medical equipment, shelter and even food; and financial exploitation (the annual loss there is estimated at more than $36 billion).
It also can be more off the radar, like passive neglect of an older adult's needs or subjecting that person to isolation.
And the numbers in reality are likely greater: Studies have shown that only one in 14 to one in 24 cases of elder abuse ever get reported to authorities. Too many older Americans don't know how to do that and often there's no social support network in place to show them.
However, local residents will be able to educate themselves on the subject, including learning how to spot signs of elder abuse before it gets out of hand, when the Council on Aging of Etowah County hosts its annual Elder Abuse Summit on June 12.
The event will take place from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in the new Senior Wellness Center at 2829 W. Meighan Boulevard, and is free to those 55 and older, or 50 and older (and their caregivers) if they have a disability.
There will be guest speakers and information on community resources, plus attendees will receive a T-shirt and lunch. Door prizes also will be offered.
Those planning to attend are asked to RSVP to 256-543-3616 by June 5. More information on the summit also can be obtained at that number.
The
event is sponsored by the Alabama Council on Economic Education, and is
being held in conjunction with World Elder Abuse Awareness Day on June
15.
Full Article & Source:
Council on Aging's annual Elder Abuse Summit set for June 12 in Gadsden
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