Public Invited to Raise Elderly Abuse Awareness at Forum

June 3, 2010 – Elder abuse is increasing in frequency, according to recent data. However, many cases of elder abuse go unreported. Perhaps you notice that an elderly neighbor can no longer manage basic housekeeping or cooking needs. Or perhaps while out shopping, you witness verbal abuse to a seemingly disabled elderly person. Or you notice that an elderly relative has experienced significant weight loss, or has a sudden change in behavior, or has unexplained injuries. These are just a few examples of the many signs that could signal elder abuse. Elder abuse includes any number of instances of physical, sexual or emotional abuse, neglect, abandonment, financial or material exploitation, or self-neglect.

Elder abuse requires widespread community involvement in order to eradicate these occurrences. The public is invited to an Elder Abuse Awareness Day community discussion Monday, June 14 from 2 until 4 pm in the auditorium of Cabarrus County Department of Social Services at 1303 S. Cannon Blvd. in Kannapolis. Panelists will discuss mental health and abuse prevention, detecting and preventing financial exploitation, screening and evaluating the need for services, investigating criminal abuse, and prosecuting abuse. To pre-register for this free event, call the Centralina Area Agency on Aging at 704-348-2739 or e-mail labounader@centralina.org.

By law, anyone who suspects that a vulnerable or older adult is in need of protection is required to report the information to the Department of Social Services in the county where the adult resides. Concerned citizens in Cabarrus County should report any situation where they feel that an adult is possibly being abused, neglected or exploited to the local Department of Social Services (DSS).

To report an issue to Cabarrus County DSS, call 704-920-1400 between the hours of 8 am and 5 pm Monday through Friday, or send a letter to 1303 South Cannon Blvd. in Kannapolis NC 28083, or send an e-mail to jhpolk@cabarruscounty.us or kmowrer@cabarruscounty.us. For reports at night or on the weekend, call the Cabarrus County Sheriff’s Department at 704-920-3000.