Robbinsville – June 15 has been designated as World Elder Abuse Awareness Day by the UN General Assembly.
The purpose of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day is to provide communities around the world with an opportunity to gain a better understanding of abuse and neglect of older persons. The day was first established by the assembly in 2011. It is an opportunity to raise awareness of the cultural, social, economic and demographic processes affecting elder abuse and neglect.
Graham County agencies joined together at the community building on Elder Awareness Day to educate the community, as well as promote services that are available through the county’s agencies. Information booths, drawings and surveys were provided.
More than a dozen agencies were on hand to greet the public and provide the information in pamphlets, handouts, goody bags and conversation.
Michelle Jones, supervisor for Graham County Social Services and Ruth Foss-Rivera, Adult Protective Services Social Worker, greeted visitors with a booth covered in purple favors. Purple is the color of abuse and neglect.
Jones coordinated the event, which even provided new walking shoes to guests as they came through the event. The information from agencies was very helpful to the community – not only educating about abuse and neglect, but informing Graham County of all the services available to them.
“It was a wonderful turnout and we appreciate all the businesses who donated and all the public who came out to make our day a success,” said Jones.
The day ended with an Elder Awareness Walk, which was held at Robbinsville High School track. The Graham County Senior Center sponsored the walk which was attended by about 18 walkers.
It was a wonderful way to conclude a day structured around building awareness of the older generation.
Although there are not a lot of reports of elder abuse in Graham County, education is the best prevention.
The number of Americans aged 65 and over is projected to reach 95 million by the year 2060. Nearly 23 percent of Americans will be in their golden years. They deserve to feel safe and cared for.
The National Council on Aging records that approximately 1-in-10 Americans over the age of 60 have experienced some form of elder abuse. It is important to know the signs and understand the harm caused by neglect and abuse to our elder population.
If you suspect neglect of an older adult, contact your local Adult Protective Services. Signs of neglect include change in routine, lack of visitors, a new “tenant” in the home, change in appearance or appearance of the home, accumulating mail, disconnected utilities.
Your local Adult Protective Services is trained to investigate potential neglect cases.
There is also help for aging adults who wish to remain at home. Individuals with low income are potentially eligible if they are age 65 or over, or have a disability according to the Social Security disability standards. The applicant must need adult care as verified by a doctor but desire to continue living at home, be a citizen of the United States, have Medicaid eligibility established, meet income and asset requirements, be a resident of N.C. and meet all other Special Assistance eligibility requirements.
To report Abuse or Neglect or to find out more about any of these services, contact your local Adult Protective Services at (828) 479-7900, or the Graham County Sheriff’s Office at (828) 479-3352.
To learn more, visit eldercare.acl.gov.