Elder Abuse Awareness

NEW LEXINGTON, Ohio – Sunday is World Elder Abuse Awareness Day and Perry County Jobs and Family Services held an event that shared how those issues permeate locally. 

Elder abuse can take many forms, ranging from domestic neglect, to physical harm, to financial exploitation from scheming telemarketers.

“This event is so important because it brings a spotlight to the issues and we want the people that attend to communicate and educate those that they know, so we can keep this message going all year long. So this is just a brief spotlight on it but we definitely want to keep our individuals being educated throughout the year and continue that message so that we can prevent some of these things from happening,” Perry County Jobs and Family Services Director Amy Frame said.

The event featured a discussion with Perry County Sheriff’s Office Chief Deputy Eric Hoskinson, who shared the details of several criminal cases involving elderly victimization, along with tips on how to avoid falling prey. Also there were several local businesses and agencies on hand, which offer specialized services, specifically for the senior population.  

“Our older population, they are the ones that cared for us as we were growing up. That continue to do the best that they can for us. And we really need to be aware of what’s going on in their world and make sure that we take care of them the way they did us. You know, with tender loving care. And so that’s why it’s very important to bring awareness to this topic. To make sure that all individuals are looked after and cared for,” Perry County Jobs and Family Services Deputy Director Tammy Goniea said.

The key takeaways of the event were for the elderly to keep in touch with friends, family and neighbors; and for anyone who witnesses elderly residents facing difficult circumstances to reach out and report it to Perry County Jobs and Family Services, by calling (740) 342-3551 option 8.