by Sue McCann, Birkenhead News
June 11 2008
ELDER abuse is certainly no laughing matter for the 3,000 older people in Wirral who might be victims.
That’s why older people’s charity Age Concern Wirral has launched a new campaign to raise awareness of elder abuse and the devastating effect it can have on people’s lives.
The PEACE campaign - Preventing Elder Abuse and Changing Experiences - has been launched with a £100,000 grant from Comic Relief, which will support the three-year initiative to help people understand more about the different types of elder abuse and to support older people who are the victims of abuse.
To mark World Elder Abuse Awareness Day on June 15, the charity is distributing 11,000 purple ribbons, embossed with the campaign message, along with a number of other promotional items, to older people, professionals and the public.
Jamie Anderson, senior manager at Age Concern Wirral, said: “Raising awareness of our campaign across Wirral is vital.
“We hope that people will wear their purple ribbons to show their commitment to combating the abuse which makes so many older people’s lives such a misery.
“We firmly believe that too many older people are putting up with situations that make them unhappy and fearful because either they do not know that they are actually being abused, or if they do, they do not know there is help available.”
Shirley Tyler, elder abuse campaign manager, added: “We believe that targeting an awareness campaign at older people themselves and challenging the taboo around elder abuse is an important step on the road to prevention.
“Elder abuse needs to be recognised to prevent it and, over the course of the next three years, we hope to change bad experiences through the work of the project.”
The PEACE project has many more activities planned, including a major publicity campaign looking at the impact that the different types of abuse have had on a number of individuals.
Campaigners also hope to meet as many older people’s groups as possible to talk to them about the way in which elder abuse can occur and the help and support which is available.
Anyone wanting to find out more about the elder abuse campaign should contact Shirley Tyler at Age Concern Wirral on 666 2220.
SOURCE: ICNetworkUK
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