CONTACT: Steve Dubin, PR Works, (781) 582-1061, sdubin@prworkzone.com
World Elder Abuse Awareness Day was Thursday, June 15th
BROCKTON AND PLYMOUTH, MA… Every year an estimated 5 million, or 1 in 10 older adults experience elder abuse, neglect, or exploitation according to the National Council on Aging.
World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD) was June 15th. To raise awareness about elder abuse, Old Colony Elder Services (OCES) launched a campaign for WEAAD and held events in both Brockton and Plymouth—a rally held on June 15 at the Brockton Rox stadium, and a one-mile walk on Water Street in Plymouth on June 21.
OCES, in partnership with Plymouth County District Attorney’s Office, Plymouth County Sheriff’s Department, the Brockton Council on Aging (COA) and Plymouth Center for Active Living (CAL), encouraged organizations and the public to join them at the two “March Against Elder Abuse” events.
Recognizing Elder Abuse
Elder abuse includes physical, emotional, neglect, self-neglect, financial exploitation, and sexual abuse. During 2022 the Massachusetts Executive Office of Elder Affairs had 37,918 reports of elder abuse made. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Administration for Community Living, an estimated five million older adults are victims of elder abuse, neglect, or exploitation every year. One in 10 older adults age 60 and older have experienced some form of elder abuse. Common risk factors for elder abuse are social isolation, poor physical health, and dementia. Nationally, at least $36.5 billion annually is lost by victims of financial abuse according to the National Council on Aging.
OCES’ Protective Services Program staff works with older adults or their designees to prevent, eliminate or remedy situations involving elder abuse. When a report is made to the Centralized Intake Unit (Elder Abuse Hotline) and the elder resides in our catchment area, OCES will receive the report and determine if further investigation by a Protective Services Worker is necessary.
If you have concerns, please contact your local Protective Services Agency. If you want to file a report on elder abuse, please contact the Centralized Intake Unit (Elder Abuse Hotline) at 1-800-922-2275.
About WEAAD
WEAAD was launched by the International Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse and the World Health Organization at the United Nations in 2006. To learn more about WEAAD, visit https://eldermistreatment.usc.edu/weaad-home/
About OCES
Founded in 1974, OCES proudly serves Greater Plymouth County and surrounding communities. OCES is a private, non-profit organization headquartered in Brockton with a second office in Plymouth. It is designated as one of 23 Aging Services Access Points (ASAPs) in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Through the talent of an experienced and diverse workforce, OCES supports the independence and dignity of older adults and individuals with disabilities by providing essential information and services that promote healthy, safe living, which positively impacts our community. The agency offers several programs to serve older adults, individuals with disabilities, their families, and caregivers. For more information, call 508-584-1561 or visit www.ocesma.org.
