June 15, 2009 was World Elder Abuse Awareness Day. The Floyd County library staff joined with the Big Sandy Council on Elder Maltreatment to plant a sapling in memory of victims of elder abuse and to raise awareness about this horrendous crime. This event we are hoping will shed light on the growing issue of elder abuse. Readers, young and old should be aware that in our nation it is estimated 700,000 to 3.5 million older Americans are abused each year. In Kentucky last year 54,701 of adult abuse were reported and 11,506 were 60 and older. And this is only the tip of the iceberg since only one in five cases of abuse is ever reported to authorities. Elder abuse is preventable through public awareness and education. There are things every person can do to fight elder abuse:
Call or visit an elderly loved one and ask how he or she is doing
Provide a respite break for a caregiver
Ask you bank manager to train tellers on how to detect elder financial abuse
Ask your doctor to ask all senior patients about possible family violence in their lives
Join the Big Sandy Council on Elder Maltreatment
Ask your religious leaders to talk about elder abuse at a service or to put a message in the bulletin
Volunteer to be a friendly visitor to a nursing home resident or a homebound senior in your neighborhood
If you suspect elder abuse call 1-800-752-6200; It is the law in Kentucky
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