The Department of Elder Affairs today encouraged Floridians to wear purple on Monday in recognition of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day.
Department staff will be dressed in purple and urged others to join the cause. Governor Charlie Crist has declared June 15 as Florida Elder Abuse Awareness Day, an occasion to focus on building safer communities for Florida’s 4.4 million seniors.
Monday marks the fourth annual celebration of the international recognition. It is estimated that every year 2.1 million older persons in America become victims of elder abuse. Experts believe the incidence of elder abuse is widely under-reported, and that for each reported case of elder abuse, five additional cases go unreported.
In the last 12 months, Florida had 29,934 reports of abuse, neglect, exploitation and self-neglect – an average of 82 incidents per day, seven days a week (figures provided by the Department of Children & Families’ Adult Protective Services Program Office). Nationwide, almost 90 percent of all elder abuse occurs in a domestic setting, usually by someone the victim knows.
“At a time when they should be able to enjoy their later years, far too many Florida elders are victimized by abuse, neglect and exploitation,” said Elder Affairs Secretary E. Douglas Beach. “The power to prevent elder abuse is in our hands, and it is up to each of us to put an end to this shameful practice.”
To address growing concerns regarding elder abuse, the National Center on Elder Abuse this year is running elder abuse prevention public service announcements on more than 700 movie theater screens. This is the first time a single unified message regarding mistreatment of elders is being displayed in this way in cities around the country.
The goal of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day is to raise awareness of the cultural, social, economic and demographic factors that affect elder abuse and neglect. Elder abuse, like other forms of violence, is never an acceptable response to any problem or situation, and early intervention and education are the keys to preventing elder abuse.
If you are a victim or suspect elder abuse, please contact the Florida Abuse Hotline at 1-800-96-ABUSE (1-800-962-2873). If you would like more information about elder abuse prevention programs, contact the Department of Elder Affairs at 850-414-2000 and ask to speak with your local elder abuse prevention coordinator.
SOURCE: WJHG-TV - Panama City,FL,USA
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