World Elder Abuse Awareness Day
ZANESVILLE, Ohio – June 15, 2017 is World Elder Abuse Awareness Day and local agencies are coming up with another way to assist seniors.
Muskingum County Center for Seniors held an awareness gathering for the seniors in attendance. Muskingum County Adult and Child Protective Services Team Leader Patsy McDonald shared how and why they help the elders of Muskingum County.
“It’s not easy for us to hear the stories. However, if you don’t hear the stories it can’t be stopped,” McDonald said. “It’s not easy to try to find solutions, because each individual is separate and we have to treat each person with respect, dignity and follow their wishes. We’re not hear to hurt anyone we’re here to honor them and to help them maintain their dignity.”
Local medical facilities, fire departments, and organizations focused on the elderly population came together to create the ‘Vial of Life’ program. This program helps E.M.T’s, fire fighters, and doctors know a persons medical information.
“When they’re going into homes to assist people, particularly seniors and they have to go out with an emergency,” McDonald said. “We needed emergency numbers to contact the family. So you know that was something we were trying to come up with to help our other agencies. So the Vial of Life is there to assist in that area.”
The Vial of Life can be collected for anyone in Muskingum County especially anyone older than 65 by calling the Muskingum County Center for Seniors at (740) 454-9761.
If anyone suspects that an elder is being abused physically, emotionally, sexually, and or financially. Contact the Muskingum County Adult and Child Protective Services by calling (740) 455-6710.
