FRANKFORT, Ky.
June 14, 2008
(June 13, 2008)
Actor and Kentucky native William Mapother is leading a state and national effort to protect elders in a new public awareness campaign for the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services (CHFS).
Gov. Steve Beshear has declared Friday Elder Abuse Day in Kentucky. It is also World Elder Abuse Day.
At the rally, Mapother and elder abuse prevention advocates from across the state gathered to celebrate successes and recommit to preventing elder abuse.
Mapother, who has starred in TV’s “Lost” and movies such as “World Trade Center,” “Magnolia” and “In the Bedroom,” recorded both Kentucky-specific and national television and radio spots at a Louisville production studio while visiting his family last fall.
“Of course I was mindful of elder maltreatment, but when I became involved with this campaign, I was genuinely shocked at its magnitude and complexity,” Mapother said.
“We are thrilled to have a nationally known Kentuckian of William’s success to lead the campaign against elder abuse and neglect,” elder abuse specialist Kimberly Baker said. “William is a deeply caring and honest person, and his genuineness really shows in the PSAs.”
Baker said Mapother was very involved with the production from the start. “Because he’s a seasoned actor, he had great ideas for refining the scripts. It was phenomenal to use that expertise to improve the project.”
CHFS has sent the PSA to the state’s television and radio stations along with a letter signed by Secretary Janie Miller.
Council Against Maltreatment of the Elderly (CAME). CAME received $500 for its continuing public awareness activities.
CAME is part of the state’s network of Local Coordinating Councils on Elder Abuse (LCCEAs) that cover 115 counties. LCCEAs provide elder abuse education and outreach at the local and regional levels depending on the needs of the communities. Kentucky has the nation’s only network of such councils, which involve advocates from CHFS, law enforcement, volunteer agencies, businesses and all areas of the community.
To become involved with your community’s LCCEA, contact state LCCEA coordinator Baker at (502) 564-6852 or kimberly.baker@ky.gov
Abridged
SOURCE: WNKY
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