Summit County, Ohio (June 13, 2018): Summit County Adult Protective Services is partnering with VANTAGE Aging for an Elder Abuse Awareness Luncheon Series in June, which is Elder Abuse Awareness Month. The series consists of three luncheons across Summit County that will help seniors and their families understand how to identify and prevent elder abuse.
“We are excited to be hosting an event that fosters preventative efforts against elder abuse,” said Francis Ladd. “Attendees will be able directly apply the information they take away from these events to their lives and stand up abuse, neglect, and exploitation towards seniors.”
In 2016, 9.7 Summit County residents age 60 or over were the victims of elder abuse, neglect or exploitation per 1,000 persons age 60 and over. Seniors who are abused, neglected or exploited suffer great physical and emotional harm. This affects their ability to live independently at home and remain active in their community.
Learning from the experts at Adult Protective Services can help to reduce the number of elder abuse cases in Summit County. Elder abuse situations can come in the form of an infliction of injury, unreasonable confinement, intimidation, failure to provide goods and services needed to avoid harm, and a caregiver’s unlawful or improper use of an older adult’s resources.
Lunch will be provided by VANTAGE Meals on Wheels. VANTAGE has partnered with Adult Protective Services for this event as well as future events to better serve older adults in Summit County as a community.
Older adults are a vital part of our communities, said VANTAGE President & CEO Karen Hrdlicka. “Through this collaboration with Adult Protective Services, we can raise awareness about issues that many seniors face and teach them how to prevent elder abuse from happening to themselves, their friends, and their families.”
The Elder Abuse Awareness Luncheon Series dates and locations are the following:
- June 15: Cuyahoga Falls Public Library 12:30 to 2:00
- June 19: Green Branch of Akron-Summit County Public Library 11:30 to 1:00
- June 28: Twinsburg Public Library 11:30 to 1:00
The Luncheon series is free. For questions about the event or to register, call VANTAGE Aging at 330-253-4597.
About Summit County Adult Protective Services
Adults Protective Services is a division of the Summit County Department of Job and Family Services. Adults age 60 and older who reside in the community or in a community-based independent living arrangement are protected from abuse neglect and exploitation by Adult Protective Services. You can reach Adult Protective Services by calling 330-643-7217 or visiting summitdjfs.org/services/adult-protective-services.
About VANTAGE Aging
VANTAGE Aging (formerly Mature Services) provides high-quality programs to empower the economic, social, physical, and mental well-being of adults as they age. Our programs include Home Wellness Solutions, Behavioral Health Solutions including mental health counseling and treatment for alcohol and other drug use issues, job training, home-delivered and congregate meals, and volunteer opportunities. Founded in 1975 as a senior citizen program, it has since become an independent, nationally respected organization with offices throughout the state. For more information, visit vantageaging.org.