BY SARAH STEPHENS
ELMORE AUTAUGA NEWS
June 15 is World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, which seeks to educate the public concerning older residents, or the disabled, who are victims of abuse.
Elmore County Commissioners issued a resolution Monday, declaring Elmore County’s seniors are valued members of society, and it is our collective responsibility to ensure they live safely and with dignity.
Michelle Wood is the Elmore County DHR Director and was at the Commission meeting to speak about elder abuse.
“We are preventing and addressing elder abuse as a shared responsibility among community members. It starts with knowledge and understanding of the nature and the scope of elder abuse,” Wood said.
“Everyone needs to be aware of the factors that contribute to elder abuse. They need to know how to recognize it and what to do about it if they suspect it.”
Some of the signs are physical abuse, neglect, emotional abuse, financial abuse and exploitation when it comes to an elderly person or disabled adult.
“In 2023 Elmore County DHR investigated 114 reports of possible abuse and neglect of adults, compared to 28 investigations just 10 years before in 2013. Those numbers definitely prove that recognition and education of the public can make a huge difference in the rate of reporting. However, we know that elder abuse is still highly underreported and when you have underreported abuse that means there are elders and disabled adults in our community that are being abused and not getting the help they need.”
She praised the Commission for putting the issue in the spotlight, to help with public education.
“Regardless of their age and ability, each individual in our community deserves to be safe and free from harm,” she said.
She asked that on June 15, people wear purple in honor of the 114 adults in Elmore County alone that were part of an investigation.
Commission Chairman Bart Mercer thanked Wood and Elmore County DHR staff for their efforts.
“We appreciate you being here tonight to bring attention to something that should not happen in our society,” Mercer said. “We appreciate you and those you brought with you tonight. What they do to address the issues and to try and protect our citizens as much as they possibly can.”
Commissioner Henry Hines commented “When you speak of the numbers increasing, that is one of the numbers that are out there that our whole population is aging. We appreciate you and your staff.”
Commissioner Dennis Hill said as a law enforcement officer, he has seen cases of elder abuse. “We thank you very much.”
Older adults and Alabamians with disabilities are often targets for abuse, neglect and exploitation, and such maltreatment is an ever-increasing problem in today’s society.
The Adult Protective Services Unit of the Elmore County Department of Human Resources is committed to the protection of elder citizens through prevention assessments, investigations of abuse, neglect and exploitation reports and coordination of services.
World Elder Abuse Awareness Day offers all Alabamians the opportunity to promote the programs and organizations that serve elders and their families, and to participate in community efforts to improve the safety and well-being of all people throughout the county and the state.
If you believe an elderly person, or someone with disabilities, is being neglected or abused, help is available. To report elder abuse, call (800) 458-7214. The hotline is available 24 hours, seven days a week. You can also call your local DHR office wherever you are located in Alabama.
The hotline is operated by the Department of Human Resources (DHR) Adult Protective Services Division. You may leave a message during high volume call times or after normal business hours. You can report elder abuse anonymously. If you have an emergency, call 911 or your local law enforcement agency.
For more information on reporting or recognizing elder abuse, please click this link – https://dhr.alabama.gov/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/eaptoolkit-1.pdf
