Chautauqua County Assembly Emphasizes Commitment to Fighting Elder Abuse

Chautauqua County officials marked World Elder Abuse Awareness Day with a special rally outside the county courthouse.

MAYVILLE – In a significant show of support and awareness, the Chautauqua County Elder Abuse Multidisciplinary Team, with support from the Chautauqua County Office of Aging Services and the Aging Law and Justice Center, marked World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD) by hosting a rally on Friday in front of the Chautauqua County Courthouse in Mayville.

First launched on June 15, 2006, by the International Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse and the World Health Organization at the United Nations, WEAAD unites communities around the world to raise awareness of elder abuse. This day is a call to action to call attention to elder abuse, neglect and abuse and to reaffirm our commitment to justice for all.

“By joining forces, we can prevent elder abuse and neglect.” said Mike Lee, a social worker at the Center for Law and Justice for the Elderly. “With strong support services and dedicated community resources, we can address and mitigate the problem of elder abuse in our society.”

Chautauqua County Executive Paul M. Wendel Jr. stressed the importance of community involvement, adding that: “Addressing elder abuse is a collective responsibility. Our community must stand united to support and protect our older residents, ensuring they live with dignity and respect.”

Elder abuse remains a widespread problem, with an estimated 1 in 10 older Americans experiencing abuse, neglect, or exploitation each year. Alarmingly, experts believe that elder abuse cases are significantly underreported, with only 1 in 14 cases reaching authorities. Lack of adequate community support often causes many elder abuse cases to remain hidden and unresolved.

“Preventing elder abuse requires not only awareness but also action” said Dr. Mary Ann Spanos, Director of the Office of Aging Services. We must educate, support, and provide resources to our older population and their caregivers to ensure their safety and well-being.”

Elder abuse not only violates America’s commitment to justice, but also has far-reaching consequences, affecting public health and economic stability. However, with proactive measures, communities can effectively prevent and address elder abuse.

Key strategies for strengthening social support and preventing elder abuse include:

– Creating intergenerational spaces: designing community centres that nurture relationships and active participation of older people.

– Improving transport systems: reducing social isolation by providing accessible transport for older members of the community.

– Coordinate support services: Streamline teams, agencies and programs to provide comprehensive support to older people.

– Educational programs: Educate families and professionals to recognize the signs of violence and understand preventive measures.

By strengthening our social support structures, we can reduce social isolation, protect vulnerable people and uphold our national commitment to justice for all.

A video of today’s rally is available on the Chautauqua County YouTube page.

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